Pollution Control
The Pollution Control Unit (PCU) currently has reponsibility under the amended Environment Act 1999 to monitor pollution and improve solid and hazardous waste management at the national level, particularly on South Tarawa where nearly 50% of the population live (2005 Census).
JSS 1 Primary School during national cleanup campaign (2003)
One of PCU’s main aim is to help ensure a safe and healthy living environment for all people of Kiribati through continuous public awareness raising programs on all major environmental issues to all sectors of the public. Some of its main core activities focuses on improving littering and sound management of solid and hazardous wastes.
Waste management is both a threat and an opportunity. Poor waste management can degrade our fragile environment and erode our economy. Just as importantly, it can reduce the communities’ desire to be involved in creating a better Kiribati for our next generation.
As we have seen from our Kaoki Maange Recycling Program, good waste management can also generate employment and economic activity while cleaning up the islands. Waste is truly a sustainable development issue involving the environment, economy and social issues with full support from key stakeholders. PCU see 2010 as another challenging year again with so much to achieve!