BY TONY IROGA
The growing pollution problem along Honiara’s coastline is a direct result of poor waste management practices on land, Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM) Deputy Secretary Corporate Karl Kuper said.
He made the remark while delivering the keynote address during the launch of a week-long environmental clean-up campaign at Rove Children’s Park recently.
The campaign brought together government officers, community volunteers and young people to clean the coastline and raise awareness about the importance of protecting the environment and properly managing waste.
Kuper said protecting our environment is not a one-day event but a daily responsibility for all citizens
“The cleaner beaches we create today reflect the healthier future we want for our communities, our children and our country,” he said.
He reminded participants that environmental protection is a shared responsibility and should not be limited to special events or campaigns.
Kuper encouraged residents to embrace the “Three Rs” approach Reduce, Reuse and Recycle as a practical way to address the country’s growing waste problem.
He urges households to separate their rubbish, compost organic waste and make proper use of waste collection services provided by the Honiara City Council.
As part of the campaign, volunteers carried out a general clean-up around the coastal area surrounding Rove Children’s Park, collecting large amounts of rubbish that had accumulated along the shoreline.
At the same time, a technical team conducted a waste audit to identify and analyse the types of pollution commonly found along the coast. The findings are expected to assist authorities in future environmental planning and policy development.
Kuper said improper waste disposal on land has serious consequences for the marine environment.
“If waste is thrown onto roadsides, into rivers, or drainage systems, it ultimately reaches our marine environment. That is why proper waste management is essential for protecting our oceans.
“When we visit communities, we must be mindful of how we dispose of waste because whatever we do on land eventually ends up in the sea,” he said.
Following the official launch, officers from the Environment Conservation Division reinforced the importance of proper waste disposal and explained how litter from households, roadsides, drains and communities eventually finds its way into the ocean.
The campaign also highlighted the important role young people play in environmental protection and sustainability.
“To all our young people, you are key partners in building a sustainable future.
“Your participation today is greatly appreciated. You have demonstrated leadership at a young age and shown a strong commitment to environmental stewardship,” Kuper said.
He expressed hope that the week-long campaign will encourage communities across Honiara to adopt better waste management practices and work together to keep the city’s coastlines and marine environment clean for future generations.
The campaign aims to promote greater environmental awareness and inspire long-term behavioural change to protect Solomon Islands’ fragile coastal and marine ecosystems.
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