A youth-led environmental movement is gaining momentum in Gizo, Western Provincewith two youth groups from Malakerava and Tophill taking part in an intensive workshop aimed at tackling marine and land pollution through proper waste segregation.
The one-day training, held on Tuesday in Gizo with the support from the “Positive Change 4 Marine Life” program, focused on building awareness and practical skills among young people to manage waste effectively and protect the marine environment.
According to program organizers, poor waste management in coastal communities is a major contributor to pollution, which threatens fragile marine ecosystems such as coral reefs and fisheries — key resources that sustain the livelihoods of many local families.
For this year, the program is based on advocacy and waste segregation.
“This program is about empowering our youths to become champions for the environment,” Heyer Vavozo, Program Manager of Positive Change 4 Marine Life in Gizo told Solomon Star in an interview.
“By learning how to properly manage wastes, they can take the lead in protecting the marine life that sustains their families and future generations,” he said.
Vavozo explained that the workshop not only emphasizes waste segregation into biodegradable, recyclable, and non-recyclable categories but also introduces participants to organic composting techniques.
He added that the training will be followed by a series of hands-on activities, including cleanup campaigns, school awareness programs, and community sessions on the dangers of plastic pollution.
A participant from Malakerava said, the workshop has inspired them to take action at home.
“We see how different type’s wastes we dispose in one garbage bag which is not a good practice. For now separating different types of rubbish must be practice in homes,” the youth stated.
The initiative will conclude with a community outreach event, where participants will conduct a house-to-house survey of 200 households in Gizo town, encouraging families to adopt better waste practices. They will also run public awareness activities under the theme “Keepm Gizo Town Clean.”
The Pacific Community (SPC) Environment Division is funding the program as part of its regional effort to support sustainable waste management and marine conservation.
The community house hold survey and awareness will begin next week.
By ULUTAH GINA
Solomon Star, Gizo
