Tuvalu National Action Plan to reduce releases of Unintentional Persistent Organic Pollutants 2018 - 2022

Tuvalu National Action Plan to reduce releases of Unintentional Persistent Organic Pollutants 2018-2022 28 June 2018 Tuvalu National Action Plan to reduce releases of uPOPs ii Acronyms BAT ........... Best Available Techniques BEP ........... Best Environmental Practices DE ............. Department of Environment DWM ......... Department of Waste Management EU ............. European Union KRAs ......... Key Result Areas mg TEQ ..... Milligrams of Toxic Equivalents NIP ............ National Implementation Plan ODS ........... Ozone Depleting Substances PacWaste .. Pacific Hazardous Waste Management Project PICs ........... Pacific island countries POPs ......... Persistent Organic Pollutants PPE ........... Personal Protective Equipment SPREP ...... Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme TANGO ...... Tuvalu Association of Non Governmental Organisations UN ............. United Nations uPOPs ....... Unintentional Persistent Organic Pollutants Tuvalu National Action Plan to reduce releases of uPOPs iii Contents Acronyms ............................................................................................................................................... ii 1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 1 Scope of the uPOPs Action Plan ..................................................................................................................... 1 Description of the uPOPs ................................................................................................................................ 2 2 Situational analysis ....................................................................................................................... 4 Sources of uPOPs in Tuvalu............................................................................................................................ 4 uPOPs releases in Tuvalu ............................................................................................................................... 5 Policy framework ............................................................................................................................................. 6 Legislative framework ...................................................................................................................................... 8 3 The Action Plan ........................................................................................................................... 10 Goal ............................................................................................................................................................... 10 Key Result Areas ........................................................................................................................................... 10 Activities ........................................................................................................................................................ 10 Implementation Plan ...................................................................................................................................... 15 Key Performance Indicators .......................................................................................................................... 19 References ........................................................................................................................................... 20 Appendix A: Assessment of uPOPs releases in Tuvalu ................................................................. 21 Appendix B: Regional uPOPs Action Plan activities ....................................................................... 27 Appendix C: Progress in implementing uPOPs activities under the 2008 Tuvalu NIP ................ 31 Appendix D: Healthcare waste management recommendations ................................................... 32 Tuvalu National Action Plan to reduce releases of uPOPs 1 1 Introduction Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) are toxic chemicals that can travel long distances through air and water, and accumulate in the fatty tissues of humans and other animals. These POPs do not degrade quickly over time, and consequently, potentially expose people to serious health issues including cancer, birth defects and immune system impairments. As a result of anthropogenic releases of POPs to the environment since the 1940s, POPs are now widely distributed over large regions, including the Pacific Islands. To address the global environmental threat of POPs, the Stockholm Convention on POPs was adopted in May 2001 and entered into force on 17 May 2004. The Stockholm Convention commits Parties to reducing, and where feasible, eliminating the production and environmental releases of POPs. Tuvalu acceded to the Stockholm Convention on 19th January 2004 and became a Party on 17th May 2004. For more information on the Stockholm Convention, please visit http://chm.pops.int/. When the Stockholm Convention first entered into force in 2004 it regulated 12 POPs; it now currently regulates 28 POPs. Of these, 7 are classified as unintentionally produced POPs (uPOPs), which are unintentionally formed and released during thermal processes involving organic matter and chlorine because of incomplete combustion or chemical reactions. As a Party to the Stockholm Convention, the Government of Tuvalu is required to develop, and endeavour to put into practice, a National Implementation Plan (NIP) setting out how the Government will implement the Stockholm Convention. Tuvalu developed its first NIP addressing the 12 POPs in 2008, and in 2017 commenced the process to review and update the NIP to include the additional POPs. The NIP must include a series of costed Action Plans that address management of the POPs relevant to Tuvalu. This National Action Plan to Reduce the Formation and Release of Unintentional POPs (uPOPs Action Plan) is one of the Action Plans developed under the NIP and must be read in conjunction with the NIP. As the waste management sector has been identified as a main source of uPOPs releases in Tuvalu, this uPOPs Action Plan includes activities related to improved waste management and it therefore complements the Tuvalu Integrated Waste Policy and Action Plan 2017-2026. The uPOPs Action Plan was developed under the Pacific POPs Release Reduction Project, funded through the Global Environment Facility–Pacific Alliance for Sustainability (GEF-PAS). The Pacific POPs Release Reduction Project aims to reduce Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in the Pacific region through the improved management of solid and hazardous waste. The project is co-funded by l’Agence Française de Développement (AFD). It is executed by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) and implemented by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). For more information, please visit www.sprep.org/stopthepops. Scope of the uPOPs Action Plan This uPOPs Action Plan addresses the following seven uPOPs which are currently listed under Annex C of the Stockholm Convention: ▪ Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) ▪ Hexachlorobutadiene (HCBD) ▪ Pentachlorobenzene (PeCB) ▪ Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) ▪ Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs or dioxins) ▪ Polychlorinated di-benzofurans (PCDFs or furans) ▪ Polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs) It should be noted that dioxins and furans are indicative of the presence of other uPOPs and are considered to constitute a sufficient basis for identifying and prioritizing sources of all uPOPs, and for devising control measures http://chm.pops.int/ http://www.sprep.org/stopthepops Tuvalu National Action Plan to reduce releases of uPOPs 2 for all Annex C POPs (UNEP, 2013, p. 16). This means that efforts to address dioxins and furans under this uPOPs Action Plans, will be deemed sufficient to address all Annex C POPs. The uPOPs Action Plan includes measures to reduce or eliminate releases from unintentional production as required under Article 5 of the Convention. Specifically, the uPOPs Action Plan: ▪ assesses current and projected releases of uPOPs from several sources; and the national legislative and policy framework for managing releases from these sources ▪ identifies strategies to address unintentional releases of POPs, including promoting awareness, education and training around those strategies ▪ facilitates a five-yearly review of the effectiveness of the strategies (to be reported to the Stockholm Convention Secretariat) ▪ promotes available, feasible and practical measures to achieve realistic and meaningful reduction or source elimination ▪ promotes the development, and where appropriate the use of substitute or modified materials, products and processes to prevent the generation of uPOPs ▪ promotes the use of best available techniques and best environmental practices for uPOPs sources. Description of the uPOPs1 Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) HCB has been used as a pesticide to protect the seeds of onions and grains against fungus, in wood preservation, and in the production of fireworks, ammunition, rubber, aluminium and dyes (Department of the Environment, 2014). In high doses, HCB is lethal to some animals and, at lower concentrations, can adversely affect their reproductive success. HCB has been found in food of all types (UNEP, 2008). Hexachlorobutadiene (HCBD) HCBD was used for a variety of purposes including as a pesticide, fungicide, a solvent, heat transfer fluid, and hydraulic fluid. It is unintentionally formed as the by-product of several chemical processes, and during incineration of wastes containing high chlorine content. The United States Environmental Protection Agency has classified HCBD as a possible human carcinogen (UNEP, 2008). Pentachlorobenzene (PeCB) PeCB was used in polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) products, in dyestuff carriers, and as a fungicide and a flame retardant. It is also produced unintentionally during combustion, and in thermal and industrial processes. In the environment, PeCB is moderately toxic to humans and very toxic to aquatic organisms (UNEP, 2008). Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) PCBs are used in industry as heat exchange fluids, in electric transformers and capacitors, and as additives in paint, carbonless copy paper, and plastics. There are 209 different types of PCBs, of which 13 are of concern. PCBs are toxic to fish and are linked to reproductive failure and suppression of the immune system in various wild animals. PCBs also suppress the human immune system and are listed as probable human carcinogens (UNEP, 2008). Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs or dioxins) Dioxins are produced unintentionally during incomplete combustion of healthcare waste, municipal waste, and hazardous waste, during paper manufacture using chlorine bleaching, and from automobile emissions, and peat, coal, and wood combustion, including forest fires. There are 75 different dioxins, of which seven are of concern. Dioxins are classified as possible human carcinogens and have been associated with several adverse effects in 1 UNEP (2008). All POPs listed in the Stockholm Convention. Retrieved from http://chm.pops.int/TheConvention/ThePOPs/AllPOPs/tabid/2509/Default.aspx http://chm.pops.int/TheConvention/ThePOPs/AllPOPs/tabid/2509/Default.aspx Tuvalu National Action Plan to reduce releases of uPOPs 3 humans, including immune and enzyme disorders and chloracne. Laboratory animals given dioxins suffered a variety of effects, including an increase in birth defects and stillbirths. Fish exposed to dioxins died shortly after the exposure ended. Food (particularly that sourced from animals) is the major source of exposure for humans (UNEP, 2008). Polychlorinated di-benzofurans (PCDFs or furans) Furans are produced unintentionally from many of the same processes that produce dioxins. They have been detected in emissions from waste incinerators and automobiles. Furans are structurally similar to dioxins and share many of their toxic effects, although they are typically much less toxic than dioxins. There are 135 different types, and their toxicity varies. Furans persist in the environment for long periods and are classified as possible human carcinogens. Food, particularly animal products, is the major source of exposure for humans. Furans have also been detected in breast-fed infants (UNEP, 2008). Polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs) PCNs include up to 75 different compounds and have been historically used as wood preservatives, paints and engine oils additives, heat exchange fluids, in capacitors and for cable insulation, and a range of other uses. While the use of PCN has ceased, they are also present in PCB formulations and more significantly, they are unintentionally produced during combustion processes. Many PCNs persist in the environment, and acute exposure causes chloracne. Chronic exposure increases the risk of liver disease and is suspected of increasing cancer risks (UNEP, 2008). Tuvalu National Action Plan to reduce releases of uPOPs 4 2 Situational analysis Sources of uPOPs in Tuvalu According to UNEP (2013), uPOPs may be formed and released from 10 source groups, not all of which are relevant to Tuvalu. Each source group has in turn, a number of potential source categories. The seven uPOPs source groups and their source categories relevant to Tuvalu are summarised in Table 1. Table 1: uPOPs source groups and source categories relevant to Tuvalu Source Group Source category Comments Waste incineration Quarantine waste International ships’ wastes are incinerated in wood-fired incinerator Healthcare waste (HCW) HCW incinerator is out of order, but is likely to be repaired and put back into operation in the future Waste wood and biomass The quarantine waste incinerator is fuelled by wood Heat and power generation Household heating and cooking with biomass Anecdotal evidence suggests that about 20% of the population relies on biomass (wood) for cooking; Also, most of the population uses the traditional earth oven (umu) to prepare a weekly Sunday feast (To’onai) Transport 4-Stroke engines 2-Stroke engines Diesel engines There are several vehicles and equipment with diesel engines. Also, electricity is generated using diesel generators Heavy fuel oil fired engines Open burning processes Waste burning Dump fires occur as does backyard waste burning on outer islands Accidental fires There have been a few house fires in recent times Miscellaneous Drying of biomass Burning wood to dry copra for coconut oil production Smoke houses Training on the production of smoked fish was facilitated by the Fisheries Department in 2017 with the expectation that fishermen would diversify their fisheries products Tobacco smoking 38% of people over 15 years of age smoke tobacco products (WHO, 2017) Disposal and landfill Landfills and waste dumps Each island has a waste dump Sewage and sewage treatment There is currently no sewage treatment system, however, development of a reticulated sewerage network is listed as a priority in the National Strategy for Sustainable Development 2016–2020 Open water dumping Sewage is managed through on-site septic tank systems, however, new septic systems are usually constructed badly, and leach sewage directly into the ground and ultimately to the lagoon and ocean Composting Green waste composting is actively promoted, however, the waste is often contaminated with municipal waste (plastics, metals, etc) Waste oil disposal The collection of used oil on Funafuti (and export to Fiji for sound management) has recently commenced Contaminated sites and hotspots Waste incinerator sites The locations of the quarantine waste and HCW incinerators are potentially contaminated sites Dredging of sediments Dredged material from the lagoon on Funafuti has been used to reclaim land for construction in the downtown area Accidental fire sites There have been several house fires in recent times Dumps of wastes/residues from other source categories The Funafuti Dumpsite and dumpsites on the outer islands are potentially contaminated sites Tuvalu National Action Plan to reduce releases of uPOPs 5 uPOPs releases in Tuvalu Current (2017) uPOPs emissions The uPOPs emissions from the source groups and categories relevant to Tuvalu have been estimated in accordance with the methodologies outlined in the Toolkit for Identification and Quantification of Releases of Dioxins, Furans and other uPOPs (uPOPs Toolkit)2. Estimates were made using available national data, expert judgement, and in some cases data from comparable countries or regions. The results of the assessment indicate that between 302 and 381 mg TEQ/year3 of dioxins and furans are released in Tuvalu from several sources (Table 2). The most significant sources of emissions are waste incineration, heat and power generation, and open burning processes. A detailed description of the estimations and assumptions made for each source group is provided in Appendix A. Table 2: Estimated releases of dioxins and furans in Tuvalu in 2017 Source Group Source Group Description Annual Releases (mg TEQ/a) Air Water Land Product Residue 1 Waste Incineration 80.9 0.0 0.0 0.0 75.1 2 Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Metal Production No relevant activity in Tuvalu 3 Heat and Power Generation 48.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 5 - 84 4 Production of Mineral Products 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 5 Transportation 0.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 6 Open Burning Processes 12.0 0.0 0.3 0.0 0.0 7 Production of Chemicals and Consumer Goods No relevant activity in Tuvalu 8 Miscellaneous 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 3.8 9 Disposal 0.0 0.6 0.0 17.0 59.0 10 Identification of Potential Hot-Spots - - - - 1-10 Total 141.5 0.6 0.3 17.0 142.9 – 221.9 Grand Total 302 – 381 Projected uPOPs emissions Tuvalu’s uPOPs emissions are likely to decrease into the future based on forthcoming waste management projects. The most notable of these projects is the €6.8 million Sustainable Waste Management Program funded by the European Union, which will support implementation of Tuvalu’s Integrated Wste Policy and Action Plan. Other activities currently being implemented or forecasted will also reduce future uPOPs emissions as summarised in Table 3. Table 3: Qualitative assessment of projected uPOPs emissions in Tuvalu Source Group Source Group Description Likely future trends in uPOPs emissions 1 Waste Incineration Decrease in uPOPs emissions likely due to improvement of healthcare waste treatment techniques under the SPREP/EU PacWaste Plus Project and the EU Sustainable Waste Management Program 2 Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Metal Production Not currently relevant to Tuvalu and no future uPOPs emissions anticipated from this source 2 UNEP. (2013). Toolkit for identification and quantification of releases of dioxins, furans and other unintentional POPs under Article 5 of the Stockholm Convention, January 2013. Geneva, Switzerland: UNEP Chemicals. 3 uPOPs emissions are expressed as a single number with units of ‘grams of Toxic Equivalents’ (g TEQ). TEQ accounts for the different quantities and toxicity of the individual dioxins and furans compounds that may be in a mixture. Tuvalu National Action Plan to reduce releases of uPOPs 6 Source Group Source Group Description Likely future trends in uPOPs emissions 3 Heat and Power Generation Decrease in uPOPs emissions likely due to the installation of biogas digesters under the EU/GIZ Sustainable Community-Based Biogas Scheme, which will provide a fuel substitute for domestic firewood, kerosene and liquefied petroleum gas. Further decreases also likely if the Government achieves its target under the National Energy Policy and the Enetise Tutumau 2012-2020 (Master Plan for Renewable Electricity and Energy Efficiency in Tuvalu) to generate 100% of its electricity requirements from renewable sources by 2020. 4 Production of Mineral Products Not currently relevant to Tuvalu and no future uPOPs emissions anticipated from this source 5 Transportation The Tuvalu National Energy Policy 2009 calls for promoting public awareness about good transport management practices such as vehicle tuning and fuel conservation measures. If implemented, these measures will reduce uPOPs emissions. 6 Open Burning Processes Decrease in uPOPs emissions likely due to improvements in waste management anticipated under the EU Sustainable Waste Management Program 7 Production of Chemicals and Consumer Goods Not currently relevant to Tuvalu and no future uPOPs emissions anticipated from this source 8 Miscellaneous Increase in uPOPs emissions possible due to recent trainings by the Fisheries Department on smoked fish production and the expected uptake in the practice by fishermen 9 Disposal Decrease in uPOPs emissions likely due to improvements in solid, liquid and hazardous waste management anticipated under the EU Sustainable Waste Management Program 10 Identification of Potential Hot-Spots No change anticipated in potential hot-spots, however, existing hot-spots anticipated to be identified and recorded. Policy framework The policy framework for uPOPs management includes the following regional and national policies: ▪ Cleaner Pacific 2025: Pacific Regional Waste and Pollution Management Strategy 2016–2025 ▪ Regional uPOPs Action Plan ▪ Te Kakeega III National Strategy for Sustainable Development 2016 to 2020 ▪ National Implementation Plan for the Stockholm Convention on POPs ▪ National Environment Management Strategy 2015-2020 ▪ Tuvalu National Integrated Waste Policy and Action Plan Cleaner Pacific 2025 Cleaner Pacific 2025: Pacific Regional Waste and Pollution Management Strategy 2016–2025 is the Pacific region’s long-term strategy for integrated sustainable waste and pollution management. It provides a strategic management framework to address the threats that waste, chemicals and pollutants pose to sustainable development in the region. Cleaner Pacific 2025 recognises uPOPs as a regional priority issue and includes several strategic actions to reduce uPOPs emissions, including: ▪ Inclusion of data on uPOPs releases in regional and national data collection activities (Strategic Action 1) ▪ Development and enforcement of national policies, strategies and legislation to address uPOPs emissions (Strategic Action 2) ▪ Implementation of best practice occupational health and safety measures including awareness of health impacts of uPOPs (Strategic Action 4) ▪ Implementation of organic waste recycling activities that reduce backyard burning and disposal of organic waste at dumps and landfills and reduces uPOPs emissions (Strategic Action 6) ▪ Improved access to national waste collection services to reduce the need for backyard burning and thus reduce uPOPs emissions (Strategic Action 8) Tuvalu National Action Plan to reduce releases of uPOPs 7 ▪ Improved availability and sound operation of waste and chemicals management infrastructure to, inter alia, reduce uPOPs releases (Strategic Action 9). Regional uPOPs Action Plan The draft Pacific Regional Action Plan to Reduce Unintentional Persistent Organic Pollutants (Regional uPOPs Action Plan) provides a 5-year strategic basis for Pacific Island Countries to reduce emissions of uPOPs and comply with obligations under the Stockholm Convention. It identifies practical, implementable activities that can readily be adopted by countries. A copy of the Regional uPOPs Action Plan activities is provided at Appendix B. Te Kakeega III Te Kakeega III National Strategy for Sustainable Development 2016 to 2020 (TKIII) is Tuvalu’s national sustainable development strategy for the period 2016 to 2020. It envisions a more protected, secure and prosperous Tuvalu; healthier people who are more engaged in national, regional and international forums; and a government fully committed to honouring Tuvalu’s international commitments and respecting its partnerships. To achieve this vision, 11 goals in 11 priority sectors are identified in TKIII. The TKIII framework supports action on uPOPs through several strategies and activities (Table 4), which are primarily based around better management of solid waste, sewage, and liquid waste. If the development milestones stipulated in TKIII are achieved, then it is expected that uPOPs emissions will be reduced compared to the 2017 baseline. Table 4: Strategies and activities of Te Kakeega III relevant to uPOPs Goal Milestones Strategic Area 5: Falekaupule and Island Development Provide quality services and create more opportunities for development ▪ Adopt and ratify UN waste convention and implement its provisions, especially training ▪ Conduct a survey to determine hazardous and medical waste ▪ Waste survey to obtain data for planning ▪ Study how to improve Funafuti dumpsite ▪ Set up waste database ▪ Study alternative ways to dispose of waste (e.g. waste to energy) ▪ Feasibility study on a transfer and recycling station for Funafuti ▪ External transfer and recycling station in outer islands ▪ Implement Funafuti dumpsite study ▪ Implement the Tuvalu Integrated Solid Waste Plan ▪ Write a National Waste Policy and seek Cabinet approval to guide future waste disposal Strategic Area 9: Infrastructure and Support services Provide efficient, high quality infrastructure and support services ▪ Identify land for waste disposal in outer islands ▪ Expand/improve waste disposal systems ▪ Design a reticulated Funafuti sewerage system Strategic Area 11: Migration and Urbanisation Mitigate the adverse impacts of internal migration and urbanisation and capitalise on opportunities offered by migration and urbanisation ▪ Improve solid and liquid waste collection/disposal ▪ Strengthen environmental management controls on Funafuti to control/reduce liquid waste seepage from densely populated areas Tuvalu National Action Plan to reduce releases of uPOPs 8 National Implementation Plan for the Stockholm Convention on POPs Tuvalu’s National Implementation Plan (NIP) for the Stockholm Convention, addressing the original 12 POPs, was first developed in July 2008. It included several activities to reduce uPOPs emissions. The progress of implementing these activities as at 2018 is summarised in Appendix C. The process to review and update the NIP to include the new POPs commenced in late 2017 and was still ongoing at the time this uPOPs Action Plan was prepared. It must be noted that although the uPOPs Action Plan and the NIP update are being prepared under different projects, the uPOPs Action Plan constitutes an action plan under the NIP in accordance with Article 5 of the Stockholm Convention. To ensure good integration between the updated NIP and the uPOPs Action Plan, the National Consultant updating the NIP (Alan Resture) has been consulted. National Environment Management Strategy 2015-2020 The National Environment Management Strategy 2015–2020 sets a policy platform to support long-term planning and action on priority national environmental issues. It identifies policy goals and strategies that fall under four thematic areas: Environmental Governance; Island Biodiversity Conservation and Management; Waste Management and Pollution Control; and Environment Awareness and Education. The strategies under the Waste Management and Pollution Control theme are all relevant to this uPOPs Action Plan, and some have already been implemented. The strategies are: ▪ Development of waste management policies, plans and legislation ▪ Effective and efficient enforcement of environment laws ▪ Upgrading of Tuvalu dumpsites ▪ Acquisition of garbage trucks and pollution control equipment ▪ Rehabilitation of borrow pits ▪ Formal and informal education on waste management and pollution control ▪ Community programmes on waste minimisation, composting and 3Rs ▪ Radio programmes and TV footage documentary on waste management and pollution control ▪ Train-the-trainers programme for waste management and pollution control practitioners ▪ Identification of investment opportunities from bilateral, multilateral, and international agencies for waste management and pollution control. National Integrated Waste Policy and Action Plan The Tuvalu National Integrated Waste Policy and Action Plan (Waste Policy) sets a vision for “a cleaner and healthier Tuvalu for today and the future generation”. This vision is underpinned by a mission “to develop implement and strengthen appropriate waste strategies through concerted efforts of the Government, stakeholders and communities in order to improve the environment and the health of the people of Tuvalu”. The Waste Policy recognises that practices—which contribute to uPOPs releases—such as burning of green waste, and improper disposal of hazardous and liquid wastes still occur. As the Waste Policy is centred on improving the management of wastes in Tuvalu, it contains many activities which have a direct or indirect link to reducing uPOPs emissions. These activities will not be duplicated in this uPOPs Action Plan; rather, the uPOPs Action Plan will identify additional activities where necessary to strengthen and complement efforts under the Waste Policy and provide better environmental outcomes. Legislative framework uPOPs are released from several activities across different sectors including waste management, transport, and domestic cooking. This section (Table 5) summarises the legislation addressing uPOPs prevention and reduction from the waste management sector, which has been shown to be the main source of uPOPs emissions in Tuvalu. The legislation examined were: ▪ Waste Operations and Services Act 2009 Tuvalu National Action Plan to reduce releases of uPOPs 9 ▪ Environment Protection Act ▪ Environment Protection (Litter and Waste Control) Regulations 2013 In summary, the legislation examined include adequate measures (e.g. prohibition on open burning), which if enforced, would contribute to reducing uPOPs emissions in Tuvalu. Details of the relevant uPOPs reduction measures are summarised in Table 5. Table 5: Legislative framework for reduction uPOPs emissions in Tuvalu Section Description Waste Operations and Services Act 2009: This act defines the roles and responsibilities for waste management, and makes provisions for waste management planning, collection and disposal of solid wastes, and other related operations and services in designated areas of Tuvalu. It is administered by DWM (formerly SWAT) 12, 13 Requires landfill sites, waste dumps and waste disposal facilities not operated by the Kaupules and DWM to be licensed, and to provide data relating to their operations if requested by DWM or the Minister 24 Requires the Kaupules and DWM to provide annual work programme and budget details to the Minister 25, 28 Enables Kaupules and DWM to make and impose rules, operating procedures, guidelines and codes of practice for waste management 28 Requires Kaupules and DWM to promote waste recycling 32 Prescribes a maximum penalty of $1,000 for the unauthorised lighting of a fire at a dumpsite 10, 11 Enables regulations to be made for several matters including: waste levies; deposits on goods to support end-of life management; and lifecycle management (import, export, etc) of things which may become wastes Environment Protection Act: This act is administered by the Department of Environment and is the principal act concerning the protection and management of Tuvalu’s environment 14 Enables Minister to convene a National Environment Forum to consider nationally important environment matters, disseminate relevant information, and provide the general community with the opportunity to participate in development and implementation of environment related policies, programmes and activities 14, 15 Enables the Minister to convene a National Environment Council to provide advice and serve as the competent authority or implementing authority for any relevant international convention 21-23 Enables regulation to be developed for a range of waste management and pollution control matters 28 Requires all government departments and agencies to assist with implementation and enforcement of relevant international conventions in accordance with a Ministerial request or National Environment Council decision Environment Protection (Litter and Waste Control) Regulations 2013: This is the main regulation that controls litter and illegal dumping in Tuvalu. It is administered by the Department of Environment and includes several provisions which are directed at reducing uPOPs releases 5 Prohibits burning of litter and other wastes in a way that breaches a Kaupule by-law, causes nuisance, or causes fire to spread; and prohibits dumping of litter and waste including near water sources, on beaches and foreshores, and in the sea and mangroves 6 Prohibits landfill disposal of electrical and electronic goods, white goods, and any thing restricted under the Waste Operations and Services Act 2009, except at an authorised dumping site 7 Prohibits intentional burning of waste that contains plastics, any hazardous waste or substance, or that creates an unintentional POP 7 Prohibits unauthorised lighting of a fire at an authorised dumpsite 8 Defines all POPs to be ‘prescribed wastes” and requires persons to disclose prescribed wastes when dumping at a landfill, and to store, transport and safely dispose of prescribed wastes in accordance with the law and any international waste-related convention applying in Tuvalu Tuvalu National Action Plan to reduce releases of uPOPs 10 3 The Action Plan Goal The goal statement describes the outcome expected to be achieved at the end of the Action Plan period. The goal of this uPOPs Action Plan is to reduce, and where possible prevent the formation, release and adverse impacts of uPOPs emissions in Tuvalu. Key Result Areas Key Result Areas (KRAs) describe the thematic areas that must be addressed to achieve the goal. Seven KRAs have been identified for the uPOPs Action Plan: KRA1: Strengthen the national policy & legislative framework KRA2: Reduce human exposure to uPOPs KRA3: Increase adoption of best practices in the waste management sector KRA4: Improve domestic cooking practices KRA5: Reduce uPOPs emissions from the transport sector KRA6: Improve coordination among stakeholders KRA7: Ensure timely implementation, monitoring and reporting under the uPOPs Action Plan Activities KRA1: Strengthen the national policy and legislative framework The existing legislative framework pertaining to uPOPs prevention in the waste management sector is reasonably strong as it prohibits open burning, lighting of dump fires, and landfill disposal of electrical and electronic waste, and requires compliance with the waste and chemical conventions to which Tuvalu is a Party. A lot of awareness raising has been conducted on Funafuti on the open burning ban and on waste collection arrangements, resulting in a lot fewer residents burning their waste. However, community awareness and enforcement of the existing laws continues to be a challenge, particularly on the outer islands. Similar education efforts need to be undertaken in the outer islands, and in time, stronger enforcement actions need to be taken against those who refuse to comply with the law that they have been made aware of. The activities to strengthen the national policy and legislative framework are: 1.1 Increase awareness of existing laws in the outer islands. 1.2 Introduce a “penalty infringement system” under the Waste Operations and Services Act, and Environment Protection Act, to discourage unlawful behaviour and give people the option of resolving their matters by paying a fixed penalty rather than going to court. 1.3 Develop and implement a training program for authorised enforcement officers to increase their knowledge and awareness of the relevant laws and to provide them with the tools and skills necessary to effectively enforce the laws. This will involve development and delivery of training materials and training programs. The relevant enforcement agencies (e.g. Department of Environment, Department of Waste Management, and the Police Department) should also make enforcement training a mandatory induction activity for new staff and require existing staff to undergo annual refresher training. 1.4 Develop and implement an awareness program for the judiciary (Attorney General/Public Prosecutor, judges) to increase their understanding of the environmental consequences of non-compliance with the domestic laws and the associated implications for non-compliance with Tuvalu’s obligations as a Party to the Stockholm Convention. Tuvalu National Action Plan to reduce releases of uPOPs 11 KRA2: Reduce human exposure to uPOPs Although Tuvalu has been a Party to the Stockholm Convention since 2004, there is limited national understanding and awareness of what uPOPs are, how humans and animals become exposed to these chemicals, and the associated potential health impacts. This is particularly true in the work place, where there is little to no use of personal protective equipment (PPE) by those exposed to uPOPs emissions (e.g. waste management staff responding to a dump fire). Legislation providing protection for worker’s health and safety is very limited and rarely enforced, for example: ▪ Section 12(5) of the Waste Operations and Services Act 2009 requires licences issued to private waste operators to require the licensee to comply with all legal requirements applying, inter alia, to the health and safety of workers in the workplace. Designated waste management operators (Kaupules and DWM) are excluded from this requirement. ▪ Section 5(4) of the Employment Act empowers the Commissioner or Health Officer to require any employer to take steps to remedy defects observed in any matter at any place of employment, which may constitute a threat to the health or safety of the worker. The specific activities to reduce human exposure to uPOPs in the workplace and in the home are: 2.1 Conduct uPOPs information sessions with relevant employers and employees. The aim of these sessions should be to raise awareness about uPOPs and practical steps that can be taken to reduce exposure to uPOPs, including the use of PPEs. Further guidance on practical best practice measures is available in the Stockholm Convention Secretariat’s Guidelines on Best Available Techniques and Provisional Guidance on Best Environmental Practices Relevant to Article 5 And Annex C of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (Stockholm Convention BAT/BEP Guidelines).4 2.2 Develop, distribute, and raise awareness of guidelines on selection and use of PPE in the waste management sector. The guideline should, at a minimum, cover landfill workers and those involved in incineration and burning of healthcare waste and quarantine waste. It should include general guidance on selecting PPE and specific recommendations of suitable PPE for different working environments and risks. 2.3 Require all employers, including the DWM and Kaupules to provide relevant employees with PPE and appropriate training. For the private sector, this requirement can be a condition of the waste management licence. All employers have a duty of care to ensure the welfare of their workers. 2.4 Promote well-balanced, low-fat diets with adequate amounts of fruits and vegetables. Given that uPOPs accumulate in the fatty tissues of animals (e.g. pigs), promoting a low-fat diet is one way of avoiding exposure to uPOPs in food. 2.5 Implement a national ongoing anti-smoking campaign, including anti-smoking awareness programmes in schools. Tobacco leaves naturally contain both organic carbon and chloride ions, and consequently, smoking of cigarettes and cigars produces dioxins. As a consequence, smokers are likely to have a measurably elevated dioxin intake compared to non-smokers, and also place themselves at significant health risk from the many other toxic and carcinogenic components present in cigarette smoke. 2.6 Progressively introduce higher national tobacco taxes. 2.7 Establish smoke-free environments (e.g. in schools, government offices and facilities, and public areas). KRA3: Increase adoption of best practices in the waste management sector Based on the results of the uPOPs inventory, the waste management sector is Tuvalu’s main source of uPOPs emissions. While waste management practices are gradually improving with the implementation of recent donor funded projects, there is still room for further improvement. For example, open burning of healthcare waste and 4 Available at: http://chm.pops.int/Implementation/BATandBEP/BATBEPGuidelinesArticle5/tabid/187/Default.aspx http://chm.pops.int/Implementation/BATandBEP/BATBEPGuidelinesArticle5/tabid/187/Default.aspx Tuvalu National Action Plan to reduce releases of uPOPs 12 backyard waste still occurs, the quarantine waste incinerator is rudimentary and does little to reduce formation and release of uPOPs, and there is limited understanding of the application of BAT/BEP to the waste sector. Future donor-funded projects will help to address some of these issues. Reductions in uPOPs emissions can be achieved through greater implementation of BAT and BEP measures. The specific activities to encourage adoption of best practices are as follows: 3.1 Prepare a national BAT/BEP guideline based on the Stockholm Convention’s BAT/BEP Guidelines. The Convention’s guidelines are very extensive and consist of over 600 pages of guidance. Navigating such a large document is very difficult, particularly as only part of the material is relevant to Tuvalu. This activity will involve the engagement of a consultant to prepare a much shorter version of the guidelines with information directly relevant to Tuvalu, which will more likely be read and implemented. 3.2 Implement a 5-year national composting campaign. This activity complements the Integrated Waste Policy and Action Plan goal of implementing at least 3 composting programmes by 2026. It recognises that a sustained long-term effort is required to cause meaningful behaviour change. The composting campaign should seek to: raise awareness of composting as an alternative to open burning and its link to reducing uPOPs production; promote practical forms of composting (e.g. backyard, community, and worm farm composting); and involve all stakeholders (e.g. through local competitions to design posters and compost bins, and public recognition for individuals and communities consistently engaging in good practices, demonstration of good techniques). 3.3 Complete implementation of the EU/SPREP PacWaste Project recommendations on healthcare waste management. The recommendations (see details in Appendix D) are outlined in the 2014 report, Baseline Study for the Pacific Hazardous Waste Management Project – Healthcare Waste – Tuvalu. The recommendations are still relevant and include the following: (1) Develop a waste management framework consisting of a Healthcare Waste Management Plan for Princess Margaret Hospital, appointment of an officer for development and implementation of the Plan, and establishment of a waste management committee. (2) Procure and make available consumables for segregation and storage, including colour-coded waste bins and plastic liners in sufficient quantities, colour-coded wheelie bins to act as in-ward storage and internal transport trolleys, and signage and posters to explain and promote the colour-coded segregation system. (3) Provide a sustainable training program consisting of a structured waste management education/awareness program developed and delivered to all stakeholders. (4) Improve the treatment infrastructure. Since the PacWaste recommendations were made in 2014, a new high-temperature incinerator was installed under the EU/SPREP PacWaste Project but is now non operational. The incinerator should be repaired, and a maintenance support contract should be put in place. (5) Procure and make available PPE consumables, including overalls, protective clothing, gloves and eye protection for all waste handlers, as well as face masks and noise protection for incinerator staff. (6) Upgrade the healthcare waste storage area, to meet minimum standards for storage, which includes a suitably designed, fenced, and lockable area that is isolated from patients and the public. 3.4 Replace the quarantine waste incinerator with a suitable replacement that meets BAT/BEP guidelines, or alternatively, arrange for quarantine waste to be incinerated at the repaired healthcare waste incinerator. Pooling resources from the Department of Health and the Department of Agriculture to operate and maintain a single incinerator for healthcare waste and quarantine waste could be more cost-effective; At the same time, operating two high-temperature incinerators would provide some redundancy that would enable both waste streams to be properly incinerated in one incinerator if the other incinerator were to malfunction or be undergoing repairs. The specific approach for Tuvalu requires further consultations and discussions. 3.5 Develop a contingency plan for treatment of healthcare and quarantine waste. This should be a brief plan that stipulates how healthcare waste and quarantine waste must be treated if high-temperature Tuvalu National Action Plan to reduce releases of uPOPs 13 incineration is not possible (e.g. due to incinerator failure). Where open burning is the only viable option to minimise infection and biosecurity risks, then the contingency plan may include for example, guidelines around open burning of the waste to minimise the formation and release of uPOPs (e.g. limit burning to small, actively turned, well-ventilated fires, rather than poorly ventilated dumps or containers). Techniques to reduce uPOPs from open burning are provided in Stockholm Convention BAT/BEP Guidelines.5 3.6 Develop and implement practical guidelines on safe management of hazardous wastes and chemicals. This activity will complement existing programs that are being developed to divert used lubricant oils, hazardous waste, scrap metal and other materials from the Funafuti Dumpsite into temporary storage. The guidelines developed in this activity should, among other things, cover the entire chemical lifecycle and should include information on the intended use, toxicity, management and disposal of chemicals imported into Tuvalu. KRA4: Improve domestic cooking practices There is very little data available on domestic cooking practices in Tuvalu, however, stakeholders consulted estimate that approximately 20% of the Tuvaluan population (mostly in the outer islands) depend on traditional fuels (wood, coconut shells/husks) for cooking. It is assumed that at least some portion of existing cook stoves may be inefficient, and some cooking may be done in poorly ventilated areas. Women, who traditionally prepare the daily meals, and children are most at risk. Traditional cooking practices also include the preparation of a weekly Sunday lunch (To’onai) using a traditional earth oven (umu). The Ministry of Public Utilities and Infrastructure is currently implementing a Sustainable Community-Based Biogas Scheme funded by the EU/GIZ to provide domestic energy and improve livelihoods. The project includes the installation of 40 small-scale biogas digesters on the 7 outer islands to provide a fuel substitute for domestic firewood, kerosene and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Implementation of the project will improve domestic cooking practices and reduce uPOPs emissions from domestic cooking. Activities under this uPOPs Action Plan to improve domestic cooking practices and reduce uPOPs emissions are as follows: 4.1 Prepare a factsheet of improved cooking appliances/practices and conduct household & community awareness sessions. Improved stoves that burn fuel (biomass) more efficiently, and alternative appliances (such as solar cooking) will reduce releases of uPOPs, improve indoor air quality, and potentially save fuel compared to older stoves. Improved practices include increasing ventilation in the cooking area. Further guidance on BAT/BEP for domestic cooking practices is provided in Section VI.C of the Stockholm Convention BAT/BEP Guidelines.6 Awareness sessions could include preparation and dissemination of fact sheets on improved cooking methods (e.g. how to ensure good ventilation and maintain cooking equipment). 4.2 Provide incentives to encourage people to upgrade to improved cooking appliances. Incentives could include, for example, a discount for trading in old stoves, or a Government subsidy on new stoves. 4.3 Evaluate the success of current community-based biogas projects and replicate if appropriate. The EU/GIZ Project which will install 40 biogas digesters in the outer islands will reduce the uPOPs emissions and indoor air pollution associated with domestic cooking with biomass. This activity seeks to expand installation of biogas digesters on outer islands and further reduce reliance on cooking with biomass. 4.4. Identify and train island ‘champions’ in BAT/BEP for domestic cooking (e.g. maintenance of stoves, use of suitable biomass), and provide ongoing technical and financial support to enable champions to educate communities on these techniques. 4.5 Raise awareness of health and agriculture staff on good domestic cooking practices. This will enable staff to share information with relevant communities whilst implementing their health and agriculture-related programmes and activities in outer islands. 5 Available at: http://chm.pops.int/Implementation/BATandBEP/BATBEPGuidelinesArticle5/tabid/187/Default.aspx 6 Available at: http://chm.pops.int/Implementation/BATandBEP/BATBEPGuidelinesArticle5/tabid/187/Default.aspx http://chm.pops.int/Implementation/BATandBEP/BATBEPGuidelinesArticle5/tabid/187/Default.aspx http://chm.pops.int/Implementation/BATandBEP/BATBEPGuidelinesArticle5/tabid/187/Default.aspx Tuvalu National Action Plan to reduce releases of uPOPs 14 KRA5: Reduce uPOPs emissions from the transport sector uPOPs emissions from the transportation sector are less than 1% of the total uPOPs emissions estimated for Tuvalu. Nonetheless, there are simple measures that can be implemented to help reduce emissions and raise awareness of uPOPs. Anecdotally, every Tuvaluan family owns at least one vehicle (often a motorbike), therefore, the transportation sector provides another platform for reaching all Tuvaluans. 5.1 Provide tax incentives that favour importation of vehicles and engines that emit lower levels of uPOPs, including fuel efficient vehicles with catalytic converters, and 4-stroke motorbikes and outboard engines, rather than the more polluting 2-stroke motorbikes and outboard engines. 5.2 Raise awareness of mechanics and vehicle owners on good vehicle maintenance practices, and the importance of such practices to minimise the formation and release of uPOPs. Poorly maintained vehicles burn fuel less efficiently and completely and thus contribute to more uPOPs emissions. 5.3 Designate a vehicle-free day (or week) on Tuvalu. On this day (or week), residents would be encouraged to use alternatives including walking and bicycles. This day (or week) could also mark the culmination of a year of activities including a ‘10,000 steps a day competition’, with prizes for persons who accumulate the most ‘steps’ as measured using pedometers or mobile phone application. While this activity may have little meaningful impact on uPOPs emissions from the transportation sector, it will provide a platform for raising awareness around uPOPs emissions and other related issues including health. KRA6: Improve coordination among stakeholders As uPOPs are formed and released from activities across several sectors, coordination and collaboration amongst all stakeholders is essential. Several Committees have been formed for various purposes including the Waste Levy Committee, the Used Lubricant Oil Committee, the Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) Steering Committee, and the Environmental Stakeholder Committee. Consideration should be given to whether the various committees can be streamlined. In addition, section 15 of the Environment Protection Act enables the Minister to establish a National Environment Council to provide advice and serve as the competent authority or implementing authority for relevant international conventions. The activities to improve coordination among stakeholders are described below: 6.1 Establish the National Environment Council under section 15 of the Environment Protection Act as the national entity responsible for coordinating all waste and chemicals management issues in Tuvalu, including implementation of relevant international environmental Conventions. The National Environment Council should be empowered to serve as the advisory committee for projects and programs, or to establish temporary committees for this purpose if necessary. Strategic coordination of interrelated projects and activities through a single entity will improve synergies, reduce potential duplication, and enhance sustainability of project outcomes. The National Environmental Council should include representation from relevant departments including finance, health, environment, labour, agriculture, energy, local government, fisheries, education, customs, the Attorney General’s G’s Office, Police, trade, private sector representatives and key organisations (i.e., non-governmental, civil society, and/or faith-based organisations). 6.2 Convene a regular National Environment Forum under section 14 of the Environment Protection Act. The Forum would be a mechanism to consistently engage with the public and maintain public awareness of the Stockholm Convention and uPOPs. KRA7: Ensure timely implementation, monitoring and reporting under the uPOPs Action Plan Implementation, monitoring and reporting of activities under the Stockholm Convention continue to be challenges for Tuvalu. The majority of the activities of the previous NIP have not been implemented as planned for various reasons, including limited allocation of human and financial resources, and high staff turnover rate. Programme monitoring and reporting frameworks are also lacking, which makes collection of baseline data from different stakeholders difficult and time consuming and evaluation of progress almost impossible. Moreover, Tuvalu is failing in its reporting obligations as a Party to the Stockholm Convention. The following activities to ensure timely implementation, monitoring and reporting under the uPOPs Action Plan will also contribute to overall implementation of the Tuvalu NIP. Tuvalu National Action Plan to reduce releases of uPOPs 15 7.1 Integrate uPOPs Action Plan activities into the work plans and budgets of relevant departments. This will help to ensure that the uPOPs Action Plan is mainstreamed into the work of relevant departments and not be seen as ‘extra work’. 7.2 Develop and implement a data collection and analysis plan to ensure collection of all the data required to meet reporting obligations under the Stockholm Convention (and other relevant conventions). A stakeholder workshop should be convened to identify the data needed, frequency of collection, data sources, roles and responsibilities for data collection, and approaches to data collection (e.g. require mandatory reporting by importers as part of business or waste licence conditions). The National Environment Council should oversee the development and implementation of the data collection plan to ensure the plan is embedded into the processes of the relevant stakeholders in the public and private sector. 7.3 Establish a central database for all waste, chemicals and environmental management data. The Department of Environment is an appropriate host for the database, but provisions should be made to regularly backup the database in accordance with information management best practices. 7.4 Prepare and publish an annual report of progress under the uPOPs Action Plan. The progress report will assist with overall reporting to the Stockholm Convention. Preparing an annual report can also be a catalyst for action, for example, if little to no progress is being reported year on year. Implementation Plan The 5-year implementation plan for the uPOPs Action Plan is summarised in Table 6. Tuvalu National Action Plan to reduce releases of uPOPs 16 Table 6: Implementation plan Activity Lead Agencies Timeframe GoT commitment (USD) External assistance needed (USD) Cost Description or comments 2 0 1 8 2 0 1 9 2 0 2 0 2 0 2 1 2 0 2 2 KRA1: Strengthen the national policy and legislative framework 1.1 Increase awareness of existing laws in the outer islands DE, DWM, Health 25,000 Travel, awareness materials 1.2 Introduce a penalty infringement system DE - - Using existing internal resources 1.3 Develop & implement a training program for enforcement officers DE, DWM 10,000 External legal assistance 1.4 Develop and implement an awareness program for the judiciary DE, DWM 10,000 External legal assistance KRA2: Reduce human exposure to uPOPs 2.1 Conduct uPOPs information sessions with relevant employers and employees (e.g. in waste management) DWM, DE - Minimal costs for door-to-door sessions using existing staff 2.2 Develop, distribute, and raise awareness of guidelines on selection and use of PPE in the waste management sector DWM 5,000 Guideline preparation and printing costs 2.3 Require all employers, including the DWM and Kaupules to provide relevant employees with PPE and appropriate training Labour Department - Cost of supplying PPE to be borne by employer 2.4 Promote well-balanced, low-fat diets with adequate amounts of fruits and vegetables Health 10,000 Awareness and promotional materials 2.5 Implement a national ongoing anti-smoking campaign, including anti smoking awareness programs in schools Health 15,000 Awareness materials 2.6 Progressively introduce higher national tobacco taxes Finance, Health 2.7 Establish smoke-free environments (e.g. schools, government offices and facilities, public areas) Health 1,000 Signage KRA3: Increase adoption of best practices in the waste sector 3.1 Prepare a national BAT/BEP guideline based on the Convention’s BAT/BEP Guidelines DE 5,000 Desktop consultancy 3.2 Implement a 5-year national composting campaign DWM 100,000 Awareness materials, workshops, composting equipment, travel 3.3 Complete implementation of the PacWaste Project recommendations on healthcare waste management (Appendix D) Health PacWaste Plus Funding anticipated under PacWaste Plus Project 3.4 Replace the quarantine waste incinerator, or treat quarantine waste at the healthcare waste incinerator once operational Agriculture, Health Incinerator purchase & installation, training, spare parts Tuvalu National Action Plan to reduce releases of uPOPs 17 Activity Lead Agencies Timeframe GoT commitment (USD) External assistance needed (USD) Cost Description or comments 2 0 1 8 2 0 1 9 2 0 2 0 2 0 2 1 2 0 2 2 3.5 Develop a contingency plan for treatment of healthcare & quarantine waste Health, Agriculture 1,500 Workshop meeting/consultation costs 3.6 Develop and implement practical guidelines on safe management of hazardous wastes and chemicals DWM, DE 5,000 Consultant’s costs KRA4: Improve domestic cooking practices 4.1 Prepare a factsheet of improved cooking appliances/practices and conduct household & community awareness sessions TANGO, DE Consider use of 4.2 Provide incentives to encourage people to upgrade to improved cooking appliances DE, DWM, Private sector 4.3 Evaluate the success of current community-based biogas projects and replicate if appropriate MPUI 400,000 40 Biogas digesters purchase & installation, training, etc (based on EU/GIZ project costing) 4.4 Identify & train island ‘champions’ in BAT/BEP for domestic cooking TANGO, DE 4.5 Raise awareness of health and agriculture staff on good domestic cooking practices DE, TANGO 2,000 Local training/workshop KRA5: Reduce uPOPs emissions from the transport sector 5.1 Provide tax incentives that favour importation of vehicles and engines that emit lower levels of uPOPs Transport, Finance 3,000 Stakeholder consultations 5.2 Raise awareness of mechanics and vehicle owners on good vehicle maintenance practices Transport 15,000 Workshops, appropriate expert 5.3 Designate a vehicle-free day (or week) on Tuvalu Transport 10,000 Promotional materials, prizes KRA6: Improve coordination among stakeholders 6.1 Establish the National Environment Council under section 15 of the Environment Protection Act Environment Minister - Done internally at minimal cost 6.2 Convene a regular (e.g. annual) National Environment Forum under section 14 of the Environment Protection Act Environment Minister 40,000 Preparatory meetings, venue hire, promotional materials, catering Tuvalu National Action Plan to reduce releases of uPOPs 18 Activity Lead Agencies Timeframe GoT commitment (USD) External assistance needed (USD) Cost Description or comments 2 0 1 8 2 0 1 9 2 0 2 0 2 0 2 1 2 0 2 2 KRA7: Ensure implementation, monitoring & reporting of the uPOPs Action Plan 7.1 Integrate uPOPs Action Plan activities into work plans and budgets of relevant departments All lead agencies - - Done internally at minimal cost 7.2 Develop and implement a data collection and analysis plan DE 1,000 Stakeholder workshops, printing 7.3 Establish a central database for waste, chemicals & environmental data DE, DWM 8,000 Local/Government IT expert, hardware (storage drive) 7.4 Prepare & publish an annual progress report of the Action Plan DE, DWM 5,000 - Editing, printing & e-publishing Total 5,000 665,500 Grand Total 670,500 Tuvalu National Action Plan to reduce releases of uPOPs 19 Key Performance Indicators The key performance indicators in Table 7 have been identified for the uPOPs Action Plan. Performance against these indicators should be measured and reported against on an annual basis. Table 7: Key performance indicators for the uPOPs Action Plan Indicator 2017 Baseline 2022 Target Sources of verification Goals/Outcomes uPOPs emissions (g-TEQ) 10% Reduction Estimation of uPOPs emissions Key Result Areas Penalty infringement system developed and enforced under the Waste Operations and Services Act, and the Environment Protection Act No Yes Amended Waste Operations and Services Act Amended Environment Protection Act Number of authorised enforcement officers trained 0 5 Training records, interviews with enforcement officers Number of members of the judiciary participating in an awareness program 0 5 Number of employers providing training and PPE to employees To be established To be set after baseline established Interviews with employers and employees; importation statistics for PPE Percentage reduction in tobacco importation 2% reduction per annum Trade statistics Local BAT/BEP Guideline available 0 1 Published BAT/BEP Guideline Number of households engaged in composting programs To be established To be set after baseline established Quantity of waste composted/mulched ~ 2,265m3/year 25% increase Composting program records Number of households that have adopted improved cooking appliances/practices 0 At least 10 households per island Household interviews/inspections Number of dump fires 4 0 over 5 years Dumpsite records, media reports Tax incentive in place for importation of fuel efficient vehicles & 4-stroke motorbikes & engines No Yes Number of awareness sessions conducted on vehicle maintenance 0 1 Awareness raising materials, workshop records Number of vehicle-free day campaigns conducted 0 At least one National Environment Council established and overseeing relevant waste/chemicals/ environmental projects No Yes Terms of Reference, Council meeting minutes National Environment Forum convened annually No Yes, starting in 2019 Media reports, Records of forum proceedings Database on waste and chemicals established and kept updated No Yes Interrogation of the database Number of annual progress reports on the uPOPs Action Plan published 0 5 Tuvalu National Action Plan to reduce releases of uPOPs 20 References Batterman, S. (2004). Assessment of small-scale incinerators for health care waste. Report prepared for the Protection of the Human Environment. World Health Organization. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/water sanitation health/medicalwaste/en/smincinerators.pdf Department of the Environment. (2014, Jun). Benzene hexachloro- (HCB): National pollutant inventory. Retrieved from http://www.npi.gov.au/resource/benzene-hexachloro-hcb ENVIRON Australia Pty Ltd. (2014). Baseline study for the Pacific hazardous waste management project Healthcare waste: Tuvalu. Report prepared for SPREP. Government of Tuvalu and SPREP. (2016). Tuvalu integrated Waste policy and action plan: Towards cleaner and healthier islands 2017-2026. Hemstock, S. L. (2005, December 7). Biomass energy potential in Tuvalu - final draft. Retrieved 03 12, 2018, from http://prdrse4all.spc.int/system/files/tuvalu biomass potentiol final draft.pdf Hemstock, S. L. (2008). Biomass assessment handbook: Bioenergy for a sustainable environment. London: Taylor & Francis Ltd. Hemstock, S. L., & Radanne, P. (2006). Tuvalu renewable energy study: Current energy use and potential for renewable energies-Final draft. Paris: Alofa Tuvalu. IRENA. (2013). Pacific lighthouses: Renewable energy opportunities and challenges inthe Pacific islands region Tuvalu. IRENA. Mainstream Economics and Policy. (2016). Greenwaste management in Funafuti: Preliminary cost benefit analysis report. PRIF. (2016). LPG and natural gas as alternative energy sources for the Pacific: Summary of research and workshop outcomes. Sydney: PRIF. Retrieved from http://prdrse4all.spc.int/sites/default/files/lpg and lng report.pdf UNEP. (2008). All POPs listed in the Stockholm Convention. Retrieved 03 16, 2018, from The Stockholm Convention: http://chm.pops.int/TheConvention/ThePOPs/ListingofPOPs/tabid/2509/Default.aspx UNEP. (2008). Guidelines on best available techniques and provisional guidance on best environmental practices relevant to Article 5 and Annex C of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants: Waste incinerators, May 2007. Geneva, Switzerland: UNEP Chemicals. UNEP. (2013). Toolkit for identification and quantification of releases of dioxins, furans and other unintentional POPs under Article 5 of the Stockholm Convention, January 2013. Geneva, Switzerland: UNEP Chemicals. WHO. (2017). WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic 2017: Country profile - Tuvalu. WHO. Retrieved 03 15, 2018, from http://www.who.int/tobacco/surveillance/policy/country profile/tuv.pdf World Bank. (2015). Project information document - appraisal stage: Energy Sector Development Project (P144573). Tuvalu National Action Plan to reduce releases of uPOPs 21 Appendix A: Assessment of uPOPs releases in Tuvalu Source Group 1: Waste incineration Quarantine waste incineration In Tuvalu, quarantine wastes consist only of ships’ wastes, as airline wastes are not offloaded in Tuvalu. Ships’ wastes are currently incinerated in a simple, batch-fed, wood-fired incinerator without an air pollution control system. In the absence of local records, the amount of quarantine waste generated is estimated as 21 tonnes based on the following assumptions: ▪ 75 international vessels called into Funafuti Port in 2017 (same as in 20107) ▪ Each vessel was a non-cruise ship vessel with an average crew of 28 persons, each generating 2kg of waste every day8 for 5 days. uPOPs emissions also arise from burning the solid fuel (wood, coconut shells/husks, etc) that fuels the quarantine waste incinerator. If each kilogram of waste requires 3.5 kilogram of solid fuel, incinerating 21 tonnes of quarantine waste annually would require 73.5 tonnes of solid fuel.9. The resulting uPOPs emissions from incinerating quarantine waste in the wood fired incinerator are summarised in Table A1. Healthcare waste incineration Healthcare waste was previously incinerated in a high-temperature incinerator installed under the PacWaste Project, however the incinerator is currently not operational, and the waste is burnt at the Funafuti dumpsite. Consequently, uPOPs emissions associated with healthcare waste disposal is addressed under ‘open burning processes’. Table A1: uPOPs emissions for Source Group 1: Waste incineration Source Category Activity rate (tonnes/year) Annual release (mg TEQ/year, unless stated otherwise) Air Water Land Product Fly ash Bottom Ash Quarantine waste 21 73.5 0 0 0 0 1.575 Waste wood/biomass 73.5 7.35 0 0 0 73.5 0 Total for Source Group 1 - 80.850 0 0 0 73.500 1.575 Source Group 2: Ferrous and non-ferrous metal production There are no activities from this source group currently occurring in Tuvalu. 7 ADB, 2014, Country Operations Business Plan: Tuvalu 2015-2017. Retrieved from https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/institutional-document/82048/cobp-tuv-2015-2017.pdf. 8 Delfosse, S., McGarry, J, and Morin, T, 2010, Ship generated waste disposal in the wider Caribbean region. Retrieved from https://web.wpi.edu/Pubs/E-project/Available/E-project-121610-185147/unrestricted/Team5 USCG1 IQP FINAL.pdf. 9 Batterman, S. (2004). Assessment of small-scale incinerators for health care waste. Report prepared for the Protection of the Human Environment. World Health Organization. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/water sanitation health/ medicalwaste/en/smincinerators.pdf, (page 15). https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/institutional-document/82048/cobp-tuv-2015-2017.pdf https://web.wpi.edu/Pubs/E-project/Available/E-project-121610-185147/unrestricted/Team5 USCG1 IQP FINAL.pdf http://www.who.int/water sanitation health/medicalwaste/en/smincinerators.pdf http://www.who.int/water sanitation health/medicalwaste/en/smincinerators.pdf Tuvalu National Action Plan to reduce releases of uPOPs 22 Source Group 3: Heat and power generation Fossil fuel power plants The heat and power generation source group defined by the uPOPs Toolkit includes power plants that generate electricity using steam generators. However, electricity in Tuvalu is produced by diesel generators. Emissions from electricity generation in Tuvalu are therefore considered in Source Group 5: Transport under diesel engines. Household heating and cooking with biomass Biomass has been historically used for domestic cooking and copra drying. However, the copra industry has declined significantly, and copra is no longer exported. Domestic cooking with biomass is believed to be the main contributor of uPOPs in this source group. Biomass used for cooking includes mainly coconut husks and shells, with some mangrove and other types of wood used where available (IRENA, 2013). For the purposes of the uPOPs Toolkit, this is considered as contaminated wood’. The total biomass energy used for domestic cooking as reported in 2005 was 31,350GJ (Hemstock, 2008). Unfortunately, updated data on domestic biomass use in Tuvalu is not available. At least one source suggests that as at the first quarter of 2014 approximately 40% of the population still utilised biomass for cooking (PRIF, 2016), however anecdotal evidence strongly suggests that only 20% of the population currently rely on biomass for cooking. Cultural cooking practices also include the preparation of a weekly Sunday feast (To’onai) using a traditional earth oven (umu), which involves the burning of biomass to preheat stones that are then used to cook the food. This cultural practice is widespread even among those that use electric and LPG stoves, and anecdotal evidence suggest that every family/household on Tuvalu has an umu. In the absence of updated data, the rounded estimate from 2005 (32,000GJ) is used. Any decline in biomass cooking as a result of more people switching to electric or LPG stoves since 2005, is assumed to be offset by an increase in umu cooking due to population growth since 2005. Based on the uPOPs Toolkit, 32,000GJ (32 Terajoules) of biomass releases 0.048 g/TEQ to air (Table A2). The ash generated from cooking with biomass depends on several factors including the minerals present in the wood and any soil and other contamination. It is assumed that the main species used as fuelwood in Tuvalu are broad-leaved trees. The Food and Agriculture Organization suggest that the ash content for broad-leaved biomass can range from 0.3% to 5% on a dry weight basis, and the calorific value can range from 19–20MJ/kg of biomass. As a first approximation, the ash generation from domestic cooking is therefore estimated to range from approximately 5 tonnes10 to 84 tonnes11. Table A2: uPOPs emissions for Source Group 3: Heat and power generation Source Category Activity rate (Terajoules/ year) Annual release (mg TEQ/year, unless stated otherwise) Air Water Land Product Residue Ash Household heating and cooking - biomass 32 48 0 0 0 5 - 84 5–84 tonnes Source Group 4: Production of mineral products There are no activities from this source group currently occurring in Tuvalu. 10 (32TJ x 1,000,000) MJ ÷ 20 MJ/kg x 0.3% = 4,800 kg = approx. 5 tonnes 11 (32TJ x 1,000,000) MJ ÷ 19 MJ/kg x 5.0% = 84,211kg = approx. 84 tonnes Tuvalu National Action Plan to reduce releases of uPOPs 23 Source Group 5: Transport According to the Tuvalu Household Income and Expenditure Survey 2010, there were 1,935 motor bikes and outboard motors (90% of all transportation), and 204 cars and trucks (10% of all transportation) on Tuvalu. In the absence of specific data, it is assumed that 80% of the imported petrol is burnt in 2-stroke engines (e.g. motorbikes, outboard motors), whilst 20% of imported petrol is burnt in 4-stroke engines (cars, trucks, and a few motorbikes and outboard motors), and all diesel imported is burnt in a diesel engine whether for transport, shipping, or electricity generation. These assumptions (Table A3) have been used in the uPOPs Toolkit to derive uPOPs emissions to air of 0.487 mg TEQ/year. Table A3: Tuvalu fuel imports and consumption Fuel Fuel imported in 2015 (litres) [see note 1] Estimated fuel imports in 2017 [see note 2] Fuel estimated to be consumed in… 2-stroke engines 4-stroke engines Diesel engines Heavy fuel oil engines Gasoline 329,732 litres 359,000 litres (266 tonnes) 179,500 litres (133 tonnes) (50%) 179,500 litres (153 tonnes) (50%) Diesel 1,503,527 litres 1,636,000 (1,391 tonnes) 1,636,000 litres (1,391 tonnes) Heavy fuel oil No data No data - - - Notes: [1] Source: http://prdrse4all.spc.int/data/content/tuvalu-2006-2014-petroleum-product-imports [2] Assuming that fuel imports grew at the same rate as GDP growth (2.9% per annum between 2015 and 2017). GDP growth rate taken from https://www.adb.org/countries/tuvalu/economy. Table A4: uPOPs emissions for Source Group 5: Transport Source Category Activity rate (tonnes/year) Annual release (mg TEQ/year, unless stated otherwise) Air Water Land Product Residue 4-Stroke engines -unleaded gasoline without catalyst 153 0.0153 0 0 0 0 2-Stroke engines – unleaded fuel 133 0.333 0 0 0 0 Diesel engines 1,391 0.139 0 0 0 0 Total for Source Group 5 - 0.487 0 0 0 0 Source Group 6: Open burning processes Healthcare waste burning Approximately 110kg/week of healthcare waste from the Princess Margaret Hospital was reportedly burnt in 2014,12 and this is assumed to be the same in 2017. Therefore, approximately 5.7 tonnes of healthcare waste are assumed to have been burnt at the Funafuti Dumpsite in 2017. The emission factors for healthcare waste burning are assumed to be similar to domestic waste, therefore the 5.7 tonnes of healthcare waste are added to the domestic waste estimated in the following section and used in the uPOPs Toolkit to estimate the emissions. 12 ENVIRON Australia Pty Ltd. 2014. Baseline study for the Pacific hazardous waste management project - Healthcare waste: Tuvalu. Report prepared for SPREP. http://prdrse4all.spc.int/data/content/tuvalu-2006-2014-petroleum-product-imports https://www.adb.org/countries/tuvalu/economy Tuvalu National Action Plan to reduce releases of uPOPs 24 Open burning of domestic waste The national daily waste generation rate is taken to be 0.4 kg/person based loosely on information reported in the Tuvalu Integrated Waste Policy and Action Plan. Based on an estimated national population of 10,100, the total amount of domestic waste generated is estimated to be 1,475 tonnes/year. The waste collection system covers only the Funafuti population, which is approximately 57% of the total population. Of the remaining 43% of the population that lack access to a collection service, it is assumed that 20% practice open burning. Consequently, it is estimated that 20% (295 tonnes) of the total domestic waste generated is burnt. The total amount of domestic waste and healthcare waste burnt in 2017 is therefore approximately 300 tonnes, which contributed uPOPs emissions of 12 mg TEQ/year (Table A5). Fires at waste dumps There is currently one authorised dumpsite on Funafuti established at the site of old borrow pits, which were excavated during World War II to construct the airstrip. Waste dumps are also located on each of the outer islands. In 2008, it was reported that Nukulaelae has a large site for burning waste (Government of Tuvalu and SPREP, 2016). Dumpsite fires may occur accidentally, or intentionally as a means of reducing pests, odours, and the waste volume. Unfortunately, sufficient data does not exist from Tuvalu, nor could any data be found for countries of similar socio-economic status to enable a reasonable estimation of uPOPs emissions from dump fires. Table A5: uPOPs emissions for Source Group 6: Open burning processes Source Category Activity rate (tonnes/year) Annual release (mg TEQ/year, unless stated otherwise) Air Water Land Product Residue Healthcare waste burning and open burning of domestic waste 300 12.0 0 0.3 0 0 Fires at waste dumps No data - - - - Total for Source Group 6 - 12.0 0 0.3 0 0 Source Group 7: Production and Use of Chemicals and Consumer Goods There are no activities from this source group currently occurring in Tuvalu. Source Group 8: Miscellaneous processes Drying of biomass Copra, which refers to dried coconut kernel from which coconut oil was traditionally extracted—was a key agricultural export of Tuvalu, before the collapse of the industry in the early 2000s due to falling world prices. There is still some domestic consumption of copra to make coconut oil. As at 2006, each of the outer islands had a Kaupule coconut oil production facility, which produced coconut oil for domestic consumption (Hemstock, 2008, p. 173). Based on a survey of practices on Funafuti and the outer islands in 2005, Hemstock (2008, p. 173) estimated that 192 tonnes of biomass were burnt each year to produce energy for copra drying/production. The extent of the practice in 2017 could not be verified and is thus assumed to be the same as in 2005. The resulting uPOPs emissions from burning 192 tonnes of moderately contaminated biomass (duet to the likely presence of sea salt) is 0.019 mg TEQ. Tuvalu National Action Plan to reduce releases of uPOPs 25 Tobacco smoking Data on the importation of cigarettes and cigars into Tuvalu for 2015 and 2016 was sourced from the United Nations Commodity Trade (UN Comtrade) Statistics Database available at: https://comtrade.un.org/data/ (see Table A6). Based on this data, it is estimated that approximately 7,000kg of Tobacco Table A6: uPOPs emissions for Source Group 8: Miscellaneous processes Description Year of import Assumptions 2015 (1) 2016 (1) 2017 (2) Cigarettes imported (kg) 4,702 6,926 7,000 Cigars imported (kg) - - Cigarettes (million items) 4,702,000 6,926,000 7,000,000 1 cigarette = 1 gram Cigars (million items) - - - 1 cigar = 10 grams (1) Source: United Nations Commodity Trade Statistics Database available at: https://comtrade.un.org/data/ (2) Estimate. Table A7: uPOPs emissions for Source Group 8: Miscellaneous processes Source Category Activity rate (tonnes/year) Annual release (mg TEQ/year, unless stated otherwise) Air Water Land Product Residue Drying of biomass – moderately contaminated fuel 192 0.019 0 0 0.019 3.840 Tobacco smoking -cigarettes (per million items) 7 0.001 0 0 0 0.001 Total for Source Group 8 - 0.020 0 0 0.019 3.841 Source Group 9: Disposal This source group addresses non-thermal waste disposal processes which are the routes by which PCDD/PCDF already present in waste may be released. These processes are not sources of PCDD/PCDF formation and release per se. Processes in this group include waste disposal to land (landfills and dumpsites), sewage treatment, open water dumping, composting, and used oil management. Waste dumps Waste dumps, located on each of Tuvalu’s nine islands, are basic non-engineered facilities, without any pollution control measures, and with little control over the types of wastes dumped. These dumpsites receive an estimated 80% (1,180 tonnes/year) of the 1,475 tonnes of domestic waste generated annually. The remaining 20% (295 tonnes) is assumed to be burnt as discussed under Source Group 6. Sewage and sewage treatment Funafuti has no sewage treatment system. Open water dumping Open water dumping is the practice of discharging untreated wastewater or other wastes directly into ground water, the lagoon or the ocean. In Tuvalu, this wastewater comes from urban communities on Funafuti and remote environments with no industries and includes sewage from on-site septic systems. New septic systems built by https://comtrade.un.org/data/ https://comtrade.un.org/data/ Tuvalu National Action Plan to reduce releases of uPOPs 26 private citizens are usually constructed badly, and leach sewage directly into the ground and ultimately the lagoon and ocean.13 There is no data available on the quantity of wastewater discharged into the environment. Wastewater quantities have been estimated by assuming that 80% of the average daily waste consumption becomes wastewater.14 Based on an average water consumption of 40 litres per person per day,15 and a population of 10,100, wastewater production in Tuvalu is estimated to be about 118,000 m3/year. Due to the issues highlighted with septic systems, it is assumed that 80% (94,400m3) of the wastewater generated is essentially dumped. However, based on the uPOPs Toolkit, this amount of open water dumping does not create any significant uPOPs emissions. Composting The presence of dioxins and furans in compost in Tuvalu may be due to feedstocks contaminated by dioxins/furans, such as residues from backyard burning, or other wastes. On Funafuti, partially segregated green waste is generally left beside waste bins for collection by DWM. Based on 2016 estimates, approximately 2,265m3/year of green waste is collected on Funafuti and composted. Composted material is sold to households as a soil conditioner and used by the Taiwan Agricultural Project site (Mainstream Economics and Policy, 2016). There is no information relating to backyard composting. It is assumed that there has been no appreciable increase in green waste composted since 2016. The density of the green waste is assumed to be 150 kg/m3, which means that the estimated tonnage of green waste composted in 2017 is approximately 340 tonnes. The resulting uPOPs emissions are shown in Table A8. Used oil management For the uPOPs Action Plan, used oils are defined as any petroleum‐based, synthetic, or plant‐ or animal‐based oil that has been used. Used oils streams include industrial oil (e.g. hydraulic oil, engine lubricant, cutting oil); garage or workshop oil; and transformer oil. Used oils have been found to be contaminated with dioxins, furans and PCBs, and their improper disposal may result in contamination of land or water. This uPOPs Action Plan recognises the importance of safe management of used oil in accordance with BAT/BEP. Table A8: uPOPs emissions for Source Group 9: Disposal Source Category Activity rate (tonnes/year) Annual release (mg TEQ/year, unless stated otherwise) Air Water Land Product Residue Waste dumps – mixed wastes 1,180 0 0.59 0 0 59 Open water dumping 94,400m3 0 0.019 0 0 0 Composting 340 0 0 0 16.988 0 Total for Source Group 9 - 0 0.609 0 16.988 59 13 Department of Planning and Budget. (2016). The implementation of the Istanbul Programme of Action (IPOA) 2011-2020 – Tuvalu midterm review report. Retrieved from http://www.ipoareview.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/REPORT-TUVALU.pdf (page 10). 14 von Sperling, M., and Chernicharo, C.A.L. (2005). Biological wastewater treatment in warm climate regions. Retrieved from https://www.iwapublishing.com/sites/default/files/ebooks/9781780402734.pdf, (page 24). 15 UNDP. (2014). Water is life: Offering hope in Tuvalu in times of drought. Retrieved from https://stories.undp.org/pacc-tuvalu. http://www.ipoareview.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/REPORT-TUVALU.pdf https://www.iwapublishing.com/sites/default/files/ebooks/9781780402734.pdf https://stories.undp.org/pacc-tuvalu Tuvalu National Action Plan to reduce releases of uPOPs 27 Appendix B: Regional uPOPs Action Plan activities Table B1: Activities in the Regional uPOPs Action Plan Objectives Expected Outcomes Activities Lead Agency Priority 1. To establish nationally agreed policy, strategic, and reporting frameworks for long-term prevention and management of uPOPs. Enforceable legislation adopted in each PIC. Implement and enforce a nation-wide ban on open burning (including burning in the agricultural sector and on landfills), in consultation with relevant sectors (e.g., agriculture). PICs (environmental protection department/ agency) Short term Prescribe rules for open burning in low-density and remote communities (where a total ban on burning may not be realistic) in accordance with BAT/BEP guidance issued by the Stockholm Convention PICs (waste management department/ agency) Short term Prepare and implement ongoing campaigns to raise public awareness of community obligations under relevant regulations and rules. PICs (environmental protection department/ agency, waste management department/ agency) Short term Update regulations (e.g., customs, pesticides, or waste regulations) in consultation with relevant stakeholders, to ban the importation of POPs regulated under the Stockholm Convention. PICs (department/agency responsible for environmental protection, customs, agriculture, and/or waste management) Medium term Conduct national training for enforcement officers on the enforcement of applicable legislation and rules. PICs (Attorney General’s Office, environmental protection department/ agency) Medium term Coordination, monitoring and reporting framework for uPOPs management established. Convene a national multi-stakeholder group (using existing forums such as National Environmental Committees, or Heads of Departments Meetings) to promote uPOPs-related initiatives in relevant sectors (e.g., agriculture and transportation). PICs (environmental protection department/ agency) Ongoing Update, endorse and implement national waste management strategies, ensuring that a waste minimisation model (e.g., 3R+Return or another appropriate model) is included. PICs (waste management department/agency) Short term Prepare a regional data reporting template for waste incineration, in line with BEP guidance (e.g., waste quantities, combustion time and temperature, appearance of ash, and ash disposal location). SPREP Short term Require the operators of all healthcare and quarantine waste incinerators to maintain and submit records of key incineration parameters utilising the regional (or other appropriate) template. PICs (environmental protection department/ agency) Ongoing Prepare a regional survey template to be integrated into national census questionnaires to gather information on activities that contribute to uPOPs (e.g., number of households that: rely on wood fires for cooking; practice open burning; and practice composting). SPREP Medium term Integrate the regional survey template into national census questionnaires, and ensure the collected data is analysed and reported. PICs (census bureau, waste management department/agency) Medium term Prepare an annual report on the implementation of this Action Plan. SPREP Ongoing Tuvalu National Action Plan to reduce releases of uPOPs 28 Objectives Expected Outcomes Activities Lead Agency Priority 2. To reduce human exposure to uPOPs. Reduction in occupational exposure to uPOPs. Prepare a regional code of practice or guidance on appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for workers in the waste sector. SPREP Short term Enforce the use of appropriate PPE for the waste management sector (healthcare waste incineration, quarantine waste incineration, and landfill operations), in accordance with national laws, or the regional code of practice. PICs (labour department/agency) Ongoing Document safe work procedures for waste incinerator and landfill workers and ensure provision of training on the procedures for new workers, and regular (e.g., annual) refresher training. PICs (healthcare facilities) Ongoing Develop and implement an occupational health surveillance programme for waste management workers and waste pickers. PICs (health ministry/ departments, waste management facilities) Medium term Implement a registration and management system for waste pickers—where a ban is impractical or would cause economic hardship—and restrict reclamation activities to the designated area. The system should include provision of a suitable level of training in acceptable reclamation techniques, and supply of suitable PPE. PICs (landfill operator, waste management department/agency) Short term 3. To reduce uPOPs emissions from waste incineration. Better source segregation of healthcare waste Implement and enforce a colour-coded healthcare waste segregation system in all hospitals and healthcare centres, which should include the provision of structured training on healthcare waste segregation and incineration BEP to all members of staff. PICs (health department/agency) Short term Provide signage to all hospitals and healthcare facilities to promote and explain the segregation system. PICs (healthcare facilities, health ministry/department) Short term Conduct regular inspections to verify compliance with segregation and incineration procedures. PICs (health department/agency, environmental protection department/agency) Short term Improvement in healthcare and quarantine waste incineration techniques Develop and disseminate a regional code of practice for waste incinerators (including a simple BAT/BEP checklist) based on related Stockholm Convention guidance and other appropriate guidance. SPREP Medium term Develop, adopt, and enforce a national code of practice for waste incinerators based on the regional code and/or other appropriate guidance and national requirements. PICs (environmental protection department/ agency) Medium term Develop or update, endorse, and implement healthcare waste management plans for each healthcare facility ensuring the inclusion of waste segregation and treatment in accordance with BAT/BEP. PICs (healthcare facility) Short term Assess the waste management practices of healthcare and quarantine facilities (using the regional BAT/BEP checklist or other appropriate tools) to identify incinerators or practices not compliant with BAT/BEP, and to support decision making on priorities for replacement/upgrading. PICs (environmental protection department/agency, health/quarantine department/agency) Ongoing Upgrade, improve or replace healthcare and quarantine waste incinerators ensuring adherence to BAT guidance, and rationalising operations between healthcare waste and quarantine waste where practical. PICs (healthcare facilities, health department/agency, quarantine department/ agency) Ongoing Tuvalu National Action Plan to reduce releases of uPOPs 29 Objectives Expected Outcomes Activities Lead Agency Priority 4. To reduce uPOPs emissions from disposal/ landfilling Reduction in the disposal of hazardous substances to landfill. Develop safe storage facilities for temporary storage of hazardous wastes and chemicals (e.g., e-waste) that would otherwise be disposed of to landfill. This should include posting appropriate signage/directions at waste disposal sites. PICs (waste management department/agency) Short term Identify and action environmentally-sound disposal of stored hazardous wastes. PICs (waste management department/agency) Ongoing Issue regular public guidance on the safe storage and disposal of hazardous wastes and chemicals. PICs (waste management department/agency) Ongoing Provide a regular collection service (e.g., twice annually) for hazardous wastes and chemicals once storage facilities are operational. PICs (waste management department/agency) Ongoing Reduction in the disposal of organic wastes to landfill. Designate an area on each landfill/dump (away from the main tipping face) for active or passive composting of green (vegetative) waste and market waste and divert incoming waste to this area. PICs (landfill operator, waste management department/agency) Short term Require waste haulers to segregate organic waste (e.g., vegetative waste, market waste) and offer incentives for compliance (e.g. waiver of any tipping fees). PICs (landfill operator, waste management department/agency) Short term Scale-up and expand existing backyard and community composting programmes at the rate of 2 communities each year. PICs (waste management department/agency) Ongoing Conduct a regional awareness campaign focused on increasing national participation in composting and other forms of organic waste management. SPREP Medium term Conduct a National Compost Awareness Week to coincide with the International Compost Awareness Week currently observed annually by Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, and USA during the first full week of May. This could include poster competitions, schools and community competitions, demonstrations, workshops, and a range of other activities to encourage the different forms of composting and to highlight the dangers of open burning. PICs (waste management department/agency) Medium term Develop a partnership and work programme with the Agriculture Working Group of the Pacific Islands Private Sector Organisation (PIPSO) or other relevant stakeholder, to promote organic waste recycling (composting, mulching, etc.) and increase the domestic market demand for the resulting products (compost, mulch, etc.). PICs (waste management department/agency, agriculture department/ agency) Medium term Improved waste disposal sites Prepare and implement a landfill operating manual for each waste disposal site using currently available SPREP guidelines. Each manual should include procedures for data collection, waste inspection, and fire management, and training should be provided to landfill staff to implement the manual. PICs (environmental protection department/ agency) Short term Require the preparation and implementation of an Environmental Management Plan for every dump rehabilitation project, ensuring implementation of BAT and BEP to minimise release of potentially contaminated leachate, dust and waste to the wider environment during construction works. PICs (environmental protection department/ agency) Short term Close temporary unregulated dumps, and close or improve existing authorised open dumps. PICs (waste management department/ agency) Ongoing Tuvalu National Action Plan to reduce releases of uPOPs 30 Objectives Expected Outcomes Activities Lead Agency Priority 5. To reduce uPOPs emissions from open burning (including burning on landfills) Reduction in number of instances of open burning in communities Identify and maintain a record of areas susceptible to repeated open burning and ramp-up compliance monitoring of these ‘hotspots’. PICs (environmental protection department/ agency) Ongoing Design and implement a social marketing programme in collaboration with NGOs and environmental groups to discourage open burning and encourage the public to report illegal open burning activities (e.g. using texts, pictures or video clips). PICs (environmental protection department/ agency) Medium term Develop and implement an annual Best Kept Community programme to recognise community efforts in waste management, beautification and overall environmental protection. Reward good efforts with community improvement programmes rather than cash. PICs (waste management department/ agency) Medium term Reduction in number of landfill fires Designate an area in each landfill/dump (away from the main tipping face) for reclamation of recyclable materials and divert incoming waste to this area for an agreed period, before removing the residues to the main tipping face. PICs (landfill operator, waste management department/agency) Short term Restrict public access to the tipping face where possible and adhere to landfill management best practices (such as no-smoking, frequent soil cover, waste inspection, litter pickup, and grounds maintenance). PICs (landfill operator, waste management department/agency) Short term Increase in waste recycling rates. Develop and implement “Clean Schools” and “Clean Campus” programmes to encourage adoption of waste reduction and recycling best practices in schools and educational institutions. PICs (waste management department/ agency, educational institutions) Short term Design and implement a national container deposit programme to incentivise the recycling of targeted waste materials, including food and beverage containers. PICs (waste management department/ agency) Medium term Design and implement extended producer responsibility programmes for used oil and E-waste. PICs (waste management department/ agency) Medium term Source: Draft Pacific Regional Action Plan to Reduce Unintentional Persistent Organic Pollutants Acronyms: BAT–Best Available Techniques; BEP–Best Environmental Practices; PICs–Pacific Island Countries; SPREP– Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme; Tuvalu National Action Plan to reduce releases of uPOPs 31 Appendix C: Progress in implementing uPOPs activities under the 2008 Tuvalu NIP Activities Key contributing agencies Timeline Performance indicators Progress as at early 2018 Objective 1: Include methods to reduce uPOPs in related national policies including the National Solid Waste Management Strategy, vehicle Emissions Action Plan and the programme on medical wastes Lead Agencies: Department of Environment Provide information to the solid waste management officer on uPOPs, to develop village consultation for awareness and alternatives to burning DE Months 1-6 Consultation programme developed No consultation programme was developed and no significant uPOPs awareness activities have been conducted Work with the solid waste management officer to train rubbish collectors and landfill management on waste management DE Months 7-8 Training undertaken for waste staff Between 2013 and 2016, 20 persons have been trained in management of solid and hazardous waste and chemicals, under the AFD Regional Solid Waste Management Initiative, and the UNEP/GEF PAS POPs Release Reduction Project. Work with the solid waste management officer to complete collection of information on quarantine and medical waste volumes and management options DE in consultation with Dept of Health Months 4-5 Accurate volumes collected Not completed. Some data is available for healthcare waste through a baseline survey conducted under the PacWaste Project in 2014. Provide information on uPOPs and contribute to the finalisation of the system in Department of Primary and Preventative Health (Environmental Health Services) to consider best environmental practice for medical waste in Tuvalu DE with Falekaupule/ Kaupule Months 7-8 Information provided and included in the Environmental Health Services System No progress Assist Falekaupule/ Kaupule to issue resolution and/or enact bylaws to promote environmental, health and safety for dioxins and furans, through promoting safer waste burning DE Months 9 20 Resolution developed and enacted National legislative framework includes provisions addressing uPOPs. Coordinate with the Department of Education to integrate in the curricula and/or extra curricula activities regarding the environmental and health impacts of dioxins and furans and to promote safe burning DE Months 8 10 Safe burning taught in schools No progress. The curricula include general environmental topics but nothing specifically addressing dioxins and furans and safe burning Public awareness of economic and environmental costs of poor burning of vehicle fuel DE and Department of Transport Months 1-6 Increased awareness, fewer poor vehicles on the road No progress. Tuvalu National Action Plan to reduce releases of uPOPs 32 Appendix D: Healthcare waste management recommendations The following recommendations for healthcare waste management in Tuvalu have been extracted from a baseline study of the Princess Margaret.16 16 ENVIRON Pty Ltd. (2014). Baseline study for the Pacific hazardous waste management project: Healthcare waste, Tuvalu. Melbourne : ENVIRON Pty Ltd. Tuvalu National Action Plan to reduce releases of uPOPs 33 Tuvalu National Action Plan to reduce releases of uPOPs 34 Tuvalu National Action Plan to reduce releases of uPOPs 35 Tuvalu National Action Plan to reduce releases of uPOPs 36