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Palau Koror – The Palau National Landfill, which opened three years ago in Aymeric State, is filling at an alarming rate. In such a short period of time, the landfill has reached 7.4% of its capacity, and the projected 25-year lifespan of the landfill is looking increasingly difficult to achieve without major intervention.
The problem stems from the huge volume of waste and limited recycling efforts. Despite the success of the can and plastic recycling program, which recycled 193 million of the 217 million imported recyclables, a large amount of household waste (about 21 tons) still ends up in landfills, according to a report by Jessica Emesiochel of the National Landfill.
Experts stressed that a multi-pronged approach is needed to address this challenge. One key recommendation is to expand recycling programs to include more recyclable materials. In addition, collaboration with international partners such as the Japanese JPRISM project provides valuable expertise in areas such as landfill remediation, e-waste treatment and environmental protection knowledge sharing.
However, the lack of legislation to enforce waste separation at the source remains a significant barrier. Although households may separate their waste, the current system mixes all waste together during collection, rendering these efforts ineffective. Enforcing regulations for separate waste collection is critical to the success of recycling programs.
In addition, exploring options such as exporting certain types of waste, such as end-of-life vehicles, to countries with appropriate recycling or disposal facilities could also help reduce waste. However, having clear policies in place to manage this process is necessary.
Finally, promoting upcycling, composting, and other waste reduction practices is promising but again requires legislative support to address emerging challenges.
The situation at Palau’s national landfill highlights the urgent need for a comprehensive waste management strategy. By implementing stricter regulations, expanding recycling programs, and innovative waste reduction initiatives, Palau can ensure the long-term sustainability of its waste infrastructure and protect its environment.
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