Department to drive plastic clean-up campaign

THE Department of Environment, Conservation and Climate Change will facilitate and coordinate a plastic clean-up campaign along the Motuan coastline communities in the National Capital District and surrounding villages.
Minister John Pundari made the announcement at the World Environment Day yesterday, saying the Conservation and Environment Protection Authority had committed K150,000 for the campaign.
“We must partner in championing the cause of implementing change, especially with respect to our environment and keeping our city clean and healthy,” Pundari said.
“In collaboration with NCDC and Jica (Japanese international development agency), we aim to clean and reduce plastic pollution in Port Moresby.
“I want to involve community groups in the plastic cleanup campaign. I believe that churches can be our ideal partners in this cleanup campaign.”
Jica and South Pacific Regional Environment programme have been active in collecting waste information and data.
Pundari said their experience will now be used to collect specific data on plastic waste materials.
“Through this waste audit, data obtained will feed into discussion where the information can assist parties find solution,” he said.
“The cleanup campaign will continue to December and will be reviewed to determine involvement of other towns and city centres.”