Solomon Islands' commitment to tackling plastic pollution through the enforcement of the single-use plastic ban regulation was commended at the inaugural Circularity, Innovation, Recovery, Culture, Learning, and Environment (CIRCLE) EXPO 2025, currently underway in Samoa.
The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF), in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management, and Meteorology (MECDM) and other joint enforcement agencies, arrested a business owner in Honiara for the distribution of banned plastic items, which includes plastic forks, at his restaurant. The items were discovered by a customer when buying food at the restaurant and was reported .
The conviction, made under Section 55 of the Environment Act 1998 and its Environment (Single use Plastic Ban) Regulations 2023, is the first of its kind since the country’s plastic ban came into effect in September 2023. Another case is currently under investigation.
Ms Debra Kereseka, the Deputy Director of Environment for MECDM, praised the efforts of the enforcement team and emphasised the broader importance of regulatory compliance.
“This conviction sends a strong and clear message that we are serious about protecting our environment. We commend the RSIPF and our joint agencies for their commitment to upholding the law and working towards a plastic-free Solomon Islands,” she said.
“While this is a positive step forward, we are aware that some businesses are still not following the regulation. Let this be a strong reminder to others that if any shop is still selling and distributing the banned items, they would also be arrested for breaching the regulation,” she added.
Under the current legislation, the import, manufacture, distribution, supply, and sale of single-use plastic shopping bags, straws, cutlery, plates, cups, polystyrene takeaway containers, and drinking water PET bottles smaller than 1.5 litres is prohibited.
The efforts are part of the Australian government-funded Pacific Ocean Litter Project (POLP) which through the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) supported the development of the legislation and continues to assist with its enforcement and compliance, alongside community education, awareness, and outreach initiatives.
At CIRCLE EXPO 2025, where countries are showcasing innovative solutions to waste management and circular economy practices, Solomon Islands’ enforcement actions were highlighted as a regional best practice.
“Enforcement is often the most challenging part of environmental regulation, and this conviction demonstrates regional leadership. It proves that with the right support and political will, we can tackle plastic pollution head-on,” said Mr Anthony Talouli, the Director of Waste Management and Pollution Control Programme at SPREP.
More than 120 delegates from the Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea (PNG), Republic of Marshall Islands (RMI), Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tonga and Tuvalu are taking part in the CIRCLE Expo.
The Expo is showcasing activities and outcomes from across our Pacific Islands achieved through the support of the Pacific – European Union (EU) PacWastePlus Programme, Pacific Ocean Litter Project (POLP), Sustainable Waste Actions in the Pacific (SWAP) project, GEF ISLANDS Project and JPRISM III.