Cook Islands delegation recently participated in the Circular Pacific via Regional Recycling Network (CP-RRN) Co-Design Workshop and Capacity Building Event held in Port Vila, Vanuatu, from 16 to 18 September 2026.
The regional workshop convened representatives from Pacific Island governments, producer and importer groups, recycling industry stakeholders, development partners, and the private sector to collaboratively design the foundations of a regional framework aimed at improving circular economy and recycling outcomes across the Pacific.
The Cook Islands delegation comprised Wayne King, Director of Climate Change; Melina Tuiravakai, Project Officer, National Environment Service; Keanu Harawira, Environment Officer, National Environment Service; Ngamata Tanga-Maruariki, Operations Manager of the ICI Waste Facility and Jessie Sword, representing the private sector. The delegation reflected the Cook Islands approach to sustainable waste management, bringing together expertise from environmental policy, climate change, waste operations, recycling infrastructure, and business.
Throughout the three-day workshop, participants explored a range of policy and financing mechanisms designed to improve the management of recyclable materials and priority waste streams throughout the region. Discussions focused on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), Product Stewardship, Deposit Return Systems, sustainable waste financing models, and the roles and responsibilities of governments, producers, importers, recyclers, and consumers in supporting a transition towards a circular economy.
The programme also included visits to recycling and resource recovery facilities in Vanuatu, allowing participants to observe practical examples of waste diversion, collection systems, and private-sector-led recovery initiatives. These experiences provided valuable insights into approaches that could be adapted and strengthened within Pacific Island contexts.
Participation in the workshop provided an important opportunity for the Cook Islands to contribute to regional discussions while learning from the experiences of neighbouring Pacific countries and industry experts. The knowledge and practical lessons gained will support ongoing national efforts to improve recycling systems, reduce plastic pollution, strengthen resource recovery, and advance circular economy principles within the Cook Islands.Â
For Ngamata Tanga-Maruariki, Operations Manager for ICI Waste Management facility said, “One of the key takeaways from the workshop was the importance of developing recycling systems that are sustainable, transparent, and practical for Pacific Island countries. As waste operators, we see first-hand the challenges associated with collection, processing, and creating viable end markets for recyclable materials. The discussions on Extended Producer Responsibility highlighted the need for shared responsibility across governments, importers, producers, businesses, and consumers, while ensuring that local operators and communities remain actively involved in designing and implementing solutions. The Cook Islands has a real opportunity to build on regional experiences and develop systems that work for our unique island context.”
Keanu Harawira from National Environment Services, stated that, “the workshop demonstrated that successful recycling systems require collaboration across the entire value chain. Bringing together governments, waste operators, the private sector, and communities will be essential to creating practical and sustainable solutions for the Cook Islands and the wider Pacific.”
The Cook Islands delegation extends its sincere appreciation to the Government and people of Vanuatu for their warm hospitality and for hosting the Circular Pacific via Regional Recycling Network Co-Design Workshop and Capacity Building Event in Port Vila. The delegation also acknowledges and thanks the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Japan Fund for Prosperous and Resilient Asia and the Pacific (JFPR), Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), and Tonkin + Taylor for their leadership, partnership, and investment in strengthening circular economy and recycling initiatives across the Pacific. Their support has provided a valuable platform for Pacific Island countries to collaborate, share experiences, build technical capacity, and develop practical solutions to address shared waste management and resource recovery challenges.
