Kiribati PacWastePlus Project

Kiribati sought assistance to meaningfully engage in the management of ACM on Banaba Island with the goal of ultimately removing from the island this risk to human health and the environment.

Project Description

Situation in 2018

Work done under the PacWaste program discovered significant amounts of ACM located at the former British Phosphate Company (BPC) and in other locations including residential properties [asbestos roofing material] on Banaba Island. Also noted in the assessment was the lack of infrastructure needed to address this issue, e.g., limited handling, excavation, and transport equipment, lack of appropriate ACM disposal facilities, and no trained ACM abatement personnel.

What was the Kiribati's Project About?

The following proposed activities under the PacWastePlus project include:
• eliminate the importation of asbestos and asbestos-containing materials (ACM) into Kiribati
• abate ACM from sites prioritized as high risk on Banaba Island
• adopted an Action Plan for the management and eventual removal of legacy ACM from Banaba Island

Future Situation

Removal of ACM in Banaba Island will reduce exposure of the public to asbestos fibres, thereby reducing the incidence of disease and serious help conditions caused by the inhalation of asbestos fibres. An Action Plan with costs to abate the remaining ACM located on Banaba Island will be available.

PROJECT OBJECTIVES

1.  Create a legislative environment for the effective management of asbestos containing materials 
2.  Remove and dispose of asbestos containing materials from approved sites on Banaba Island. 
3.  Adopt an Asbestos Management Action Plan for Banaba Island.

Key outcomes from Project Intervention

Key Outcomes & Impacts

Created an enabling environment for the management of asbestos containing  materials  through the  implementation  of  the asbestos importation ban and by developing a minimum standard of operation management by the asbestos management code of practice.  This work was underpinned by the capacity building of government and private industry to meet the new standards for asbestos management and abatement, and piloted through the safe and efficient removal of asbestos containing materials from the landfill.

This  enabling  environment is   further   supported   by the communities  increased understanding of the risk of exposure to asbestos containing materials and learning how to live safely with asbestos.

Key Project Achievements

• 40 residents and workers  trained in the proper management and removal of asbestos containing materials   
• 330 residents of Banaba Island  no longer exposed to asbestos in the school and hospital.
• 1 healthcare waste incinerator procured and commissioned for Ronton Hospital on Kiritimati island
• 1 Healthcare waste incinerator installed and  commissioned for Tungaru Hospital, South Tarawa
• Asbestos Management Code of Practice and Supplemental Guidance drafted
• Adoption of the Asbestos and asbestos containing materials importation ban
• Adoption of a Banaba Island Strategic Action Plan
• 3,645m of asbestos containing materials in high risk areas were removed from Banaba island and disposed  

Supporting Documents

The following table provides a complete list of all documents developed during the project, including technical guidelines, training materials, reports, and communication resources. Where possible, links to the documents hosted on the SPREP website have been included to enable direct access.