The Pacific Ocean Litter Project (POLP) is about reducing the volume of single-use plastics ending up as marine litter in Pacific coastal environments. The 6-year project (2019-2026) is funded with AUD 16 million from the Australian Government and implemented by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) in collaboration with the governments and peoples of Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.
These countries will derive benefit either by direct support for domestic single-use plastic reduction activities or through regional POLP initiatives, shared learning / outcomes and ‘best practice’ examples through POLP actions delivered in counterpart Pacific nations.
Long-term Outcomes
Decreased marine litter within the coastal environments of Pacific island countries by reducing the availability of select categories of problematic single-use plastics from household and tourism sources (i.e. plastic bags, polystyrene, straws, PET bottles and other products).
Intermediate Outcome
The Project has been designed to deliver support to Pacific island countries through an integrated approach addressing legislation, policy and planning, increasing consumer awareness and changing behaviour, working closely with industry groups and small businesses and by identifying and providing information about sustainable alternative products and practices.
Consequently, the five intermediate outcomes which will guide project investment are: 1. Legislated or voluntary single-use plastic bans, levies and other instruments are adopted/ resourced / implemented. National and sectoral measures, strategies and implementation plans for reducing single-use plastics are developed and shared across the region and officials have knowledge about options for reduction of single-use plastics. 2. Local and visiting consumers (women, men, girls and boys) are using less single-use plastics and more alternative products. Consumers have the information, knowledge and motivation needed to make environmentally sustainable choices and are instrumental in steering responsible and sustainable services and consumerism in their countries. 3. Target sectors, companies and businesses adopt plastic reduction measures. Increased awareness and accessible information provided to target sectors, companies and businesses about alternative products. Businesses are engaged and supporting the reduction of single-use plastics. 4. Alternative products and practices are identified for adoption. Locally owned businesses and community-based enterprises are making alternative sustainable products. Information and tools shared with governments, industry and business to choose viable alternative sustainable products. 5. SPREP, as the regional lead agency, is successfully driving implementation of the Marine Litter Action Plan. Increased awareness of project management techniques that assist SPREP to continue to coordinate the delivery of the Marine Litter Action Plan.AUD 16 million
Australian Government and the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP)
Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) in collaboration with the governments and peoples of Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.
Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP)
Governments and peoples of Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.