PROJECTS

Marine Plastic Solutions with COWI and local partners is undertaking this Assignment to assess the viability of an alternative to the current waste management practices for organic waste streams, particularly those originating from the Port Vila’s Central Market.

Through this project the government of Vanuatu is seeking for technical expertise on biogas generation technologies to analyse the potential of establishing a waste-to-biogas pilot project in Port Vila and possibly beyond. This is expected to decrease the amount of waste that goes into the local landfill.

(1) To review the most recent available data from the 2020 waste audit is reviewed and the need for further data collection is determined;
(2) Conduct an analysis of the potential for a waste-to-biogas pilot project in the central market in Port Vila, Vanuatu
(3) Conduct a cost-benefit analysis of waste-to-biogas infrastructure, based on existing and newly collected data considering local biogas demand, generation potential and potential revenue flows as well
as GHG emission reductions and social co-benefits is implemented;
(4) Conduct analysis of implementation options for the pilot project at Port Vila’s Central Market and initial analysis of available technologies, stakeholder mapping, possible financing approaches etc.; and
(5) Conduct analysis for the potential for upscaling e.g. aggregation of waste from several markets and/or other sources

Marine Plastic Solutions with COWI has been contracted by the PRIF to consider options for a Pacific regional recycling network and to undertake a pre-feasibility assessment of the most favourable option.
The recycling network is expected to include local processing centre/s, trans-shipment and recycling facilities and cater for all or some recycling materials, in one or more locations in the Pacific region.
The TA covers all PRIF member countries.  The scope of work includes the following activities:  - Analyse and assess the findings of 15 country waste audits to determine the total volumes and types of recyclable materials, inventory waste management and recycling facilities in each PIC  - Prioritise recycling materials according to their potential to create economic value  - Identify which materials would be viable for the development of sustainable business chains   - Undertake a demand analysis of recycled materials and potential markets  - Undertake market soundings for potential operators and consider financing options including public-private partnerships  - Determine at least three potential solutions, including which materials will be recycled, how and potential location/s, taking into consideration the requirements, risks and constraints.  - Recommend the most favourable recycling network option/s based on a multi-criteria assessment to determine the optimum solution  - Determine the technical, environmental, social, financial and economic pre-feasibility of the selected option/s for regional recycling network  - Consider the governance arrangements for the recommended recycling network  - Prepare a roadmap for taking the recommendations forward including all implementation steps, further country consultations, activities, resources required, sequencing and phasing, both at country and at regional levels

Marine Plastic Solutions has been contracted to Adam Smith International to work on the 'Strongim Bisnis' programme in the Solomon Islands with 3 other Marine Plastic Solutions members to develop waste value chains in accordance with the principles of the Circular Economy. The program is currently in partnership with MECCDM, PlasticWise Gizo, Honiara City Council, Gizo Town Council, the Western Provinces Provincial Government and collaborating with the World Bank funded CAUSE program and Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Islands Plastic Pact (ANZPAC Plastic Pact).

The current assignment is to lead this specialist waste management team to implement actions identified through Market Systems Assessment (MSA) which identified specific waste markets and value chains (initially within Guadalcanal, Central and Western provinces) that offer the prospect for managing the identified waste streams while driving economic growth and creating private sector jobs post Covid 19. Scope of the assignment includes support in developing market interventions that include: developing a Plastic Waste Value chain and enhancing existing value chains for other recyclable materials); removing legislative barriers to improve the business enabling environment including ratification of the Basel Convention to enable export of ULAB and E-Waste; addressing the adverse impacts of a tax on exported recyclable metals that recovers very little for the government but stifles investment and activity in the sector;  leverage other market interventions or investments made by government, the private sector or other aid and development programs; create opportunities for informal waste collectors and other economically disadvantaged groups; and will specifically improve the economic, business and employment opportunities for women, young people or people with disabilities (PWD). 

MPS was contracted to carry out the MTE of the Pacific Waste Free Islands Project funded by IUCN and NORAD. The project was evaluated on how it is meeting its objectives to promote circular economy practices and demonstrate effective, quantifiable solutions to addressing plastic leakage from Small Island Developing States (SIDS) specifically by: improving the knowledge of plastic waste footprints among 6 target islands; increase policy effectiveness in reducing plastic waste generation; enhance plastic waste reduction measures adopted by tourism, fisheries and waste sectors through alternate value chain development; and creating a Plastic Waste Free Island blueprint endorsed by regional SIDS bodies. 

MPS was contracted through COWI for the World Bank PROBLUE multi-donor trust fund to conduct a marine plastics debris deep dive study at national and regional levels. This project provided a holistic overview of marine debris sources, transport and impacts as well as delivered recommendations for national action plans and plastics policy and investment solutions for Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Antigua and Barbuda. This study took an in-depth look at the life-cycle of common plastic items littering beaches and the Caribbean Sea. 

MPS remotely trained and equipped five national teams based locally in the Caribbean (Antigua & Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines) using cutting edge certified survey methods and approaches including use of drones. These have included tailored environmental plastic surveys for rivers, mangroves, beaches and land-based hotspots. Within the five countries, detailed plastic brand audits were conducted using new approaches to better identify impacts from global, regional and local packaging ‘brand names’. MPS is proud to be the first to assist World Bank, COWI and the Caribbean in collecting comprehensive brand audit data for these five Caribbean countries as part of the plastic waste surveys.

MPS staff were contracted to Adam Smith International and funded by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to work on the 'Strongim Bisnis' programme in the Solomon Islands. MPS undertook a Market Systems Assessment (MSA) to identify specific waste markets and value chains that offer the prospect for managing identified waste streams while driving economic growth and creating private sector jobs post Covid-19. In line with the MPS vision, this project had a strong focus on social impacts and poverty reduction, whereby waste management interventions create opportunities for informal waste collectors and other economically disadvantaged groups; for women, young people or people with disabilities (PWD).

Marine Plastic Solutions conducted a waste scoping study for the Norfolk Island Regional Council funded by Monash University and the Australian Commonwealth Government. This study was conducted to gather contemporary waste statistics and logistics through stockpile, consumption, disposal and behavioural assessment to provide Norfolk Island Regional Council with scale circular economy management and technology approaches tailored to their specific context.

While visiting the island the MPS team conducted the most comprehensive waste study to date for Norfolk Island. The team reviewed current waste management services and systems, carried out household and commercial waste audits, conducted marine litter surveys and brand audits. Additionally, MPS is currently carrying out a follow up virtual survey to gather further information on the waste habits of residents.

This study was conducted to gather contemporary waste statistics and logistics through stockpile, consumption, disposal and behavioural assessment to provide Norfolk Island Regional Council with scale circular economy management and technology approaches tailored to their specific context.

Norfolk Island is a visually stunning destination rich in history, unique local culture, and natural beauty. From the Kingston and Arthurs Vale Historic Area to the dramatic Norfolk Pine and huge diversity of native flora and fauna, there is truly so much to be enjoyed on the island. MPS is pleased to be supporting Norfolk in its journey towards a more sustainable future.

MPS staff were contracted to DAI and funded by the Department for International Development to review plastic usage and pilot options for the reduction of plastics in Vanuatu. As a follow up on the UK and Vanuatu Governments Commonwealth Clean Oceans Alliance (CCOA) which aimed at tackling ocean plastic pollution through banning microbeads, committing to cutting down on single use plastic bags, or other steps to eliminate avoidable plastic waste, this project delivered a bespoke national plastic strategy, costed implementation plan and funding note for Vanuatu, the first of its kind in the Pacific.

Marine Plastic Solutions’ staff were contracted to SAPERE Group funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, New Zealand, for the mid-term independent review of the Solid Waste Management (SWM) Program on South Tarawa and Kiritimati Island, in Kiribati. This project delivered expert program analysis to scale-up current solid waste management program elements and improve effectiveness and sustainability of the program’s management, implementation and results realisation functions in phase 2.

Marine Plastic Solutions’ staff were contracted to the UK Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) funded by the Commonwealth Marine Litter Programme (CLiP) to conducted Port Waste Reception Facility Reviews and domestic shipping in South Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific. This project delivered collection baseline data analysis and national litter action plans focusing on the promotion of best practice activities, capacity building and training to reduce plastics entering the ocean.