The National Environment Service (NES), through the Pacific Ocean Litter Project (POLP) funded by the Australian Government and implemented by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), has successfully completed its Zero Waste Office initiative.
Delivered by Young & Co Ltd, the project aimed to transform the NES office into a practical Zero Waste Office by making it easier for staff to reduce waste, adopt reusable alternatives, improve recycling and embed sustainable practices into everyday operations. As the national agency responsible for environmental policy and one that represents the Cook Islands at global, regional and national environmental meetings, NES recognises the importance of leading by example and putting into practice the environmental values it promotes.
While the project initially focused on reducing single-use plastics under the Pacific Ocean Litter Project, NES recognised the opportunity to achieve greater environmental benefits by expanding the initiative to include recyclables and broader office waste management. This whole-of-office approach lays the foundation for reducing waste across all waste streams through waste avoidance, reuse, recycling, responsible disposal and green procurement, creating a practical model that other government agencies can adopt.
The initiative delivered outstanding results, with NES reducing office waste by around 50%, significantly reducing single-use cups and containers, improving waste separation and recycling systems, and introducing practical procedures that support long-term behavior change. The project also delivered three key resources: the NES Zero Waste Office Behaviour Change Strategy, Zero Waste Office Handbook, and Zero Waste Office Toolkit, providing a clear roadmap for NES and other government agencies to establish their own Zero Waste Offices.
Moving forward, NES will continue embedding these systems into its daily operations, strengthening green procurement practices, monitoring progress, and sharing the toolkit across government to support other agencies on their own zero waste journey. By taking a “practice what we preach” approach, NES hopes to inspire lasting behavior change and demonstrate that protecting our environment starts in our own workplaces.
NES extends its sincere appreciation to Young & Co Ltd, particularly Dallas Young, Jamie Short, Nicole Manuela and Priscilla Maruariki, for their efficiency, innovation and dedication throughout the project. Their expertise and collaborative approach have created a lasting legacy that will help shape more sustainable government workplaces across the Cook Islands.
