About the Project
Pacific Small Island Developing States (PSIDS) are a group of 14 Pacific nations that play an increasingly important and united role in international environmental negotiations, particularly on climate change, biodiversity, and plastic pollution. In ongoing negotiations for a Global Plastics Treaty, PSIDS have consistently advocated for ambitious, legally binding, and comprehensive measures that address plastic pollution throughout the full lifecycle of plastics – including the hazardous chemicals associated with plastics –to protect their highly vulnerable marine ecosystems, ocean-dependent economies, and cultural heritage.Â
This project seeks to reduce plastic pollution and protect marine ecosystems across Pacific Small Island Developing States, with a particular focus on the Cook Islands, Fiji, and Palau. Recognizing that the oceans are the final sink for plastic pollution and associated chemical contamination, the project supports the development and implementation of national, regional, and global policies, legislation, strategies, and action plans grounded in evidence-based science and international best practices.Â
At the national level, the project focuses on advancing ambitious measures to reduce plastic pollution at its source, including restrictions on unnecessary and problematic plastic products, improved waste management systems, stronger Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) frameworks, and the development of reuse, refill, and take-back systems adapted to island contexts. Particular emphasis is placed on upstream solutions that reduce dependency on single-use plastics while promoting sustainable local alternatives and circular systems that strengthen local resilience.Â
At the same time, the project aims to empower local stakeholders, strengthen technical and advocacy capacities, and ensure that PSIDS voices are effectively represented in international negotiations. By linking national implementation efforts with global advocacy, the initiative contributes to developing an ambitious Global Plastics Treaty that reflects regional priorities, shifts responsibility upstream in the plastics value chain, and addresses plastic pollution and associated chemical risks at their source.Â
Project Activities
Project Outcomes
The project focuses on reducing plastic pollution in Pacific Small Island Developing States (PSIDS) by combining national policy reform, practical implementation measures, capacity building, and international advocacy. Recognizing that Fiji, Palau, and the Cook Islands are highly vulnerable to plastic pollution despite contributing very little to global plastic production, the project is designed to address both local sources of plastic pollution and the broader global systems driving the crisis.
At the national level, the project will begin with comprehensive baseline assessments and legislative gap analyses to identify weaknesses in existing policies, regulatory frameworks, and implementation systems. These analyses will form the basis for developing policy recommendations and targeted advocacy efforts to strengthen national legislation. Particular attention will be given to ambitious restrictions on problematic and non-essential plastic products, especially single-use plastics, alongside improved import regulations, sustainable procurement criteria, and stronger enforcement mechanisms.Â
A core component of the project focuses on promoting systemic solutions that move beyond waste management. This includes supporting the development of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) systems centered on reuse, refill, and take-back approaches, as well as exploring reverse-logistics systems that enable waste generated on remote islands to be transported to locations where it can be safely managed. The project will further support local innovation by identifying opportunities to replace imported plastic products with traditional, locally available, and culturally appropriate alternatives while helping develop local supply chains for reusable and refillable products that can simultaneously strengthen local economies and reduce dependence on imported plastics.Â
Alongside policy reform, the project places strong emphasis on stakeholder engagement and capacity building. Regular workshops, training sessions, and multi-stakeholder dialogues will strengthen the capacity of government representatives, civil society organizations, community leaders, local businesses, women, youth, and Indigenous communities to actively participate in policy development and implementation processes. Local NGOs in Fiji, Palau, and the Cook Islands will play a central role in awareness raising, community mobilization, and piloting locally adapted solutions that reflect national priorities and cultural contexts.Â
Because Pacific Island States are heavily affected by transboundary plastic pollution carried through global trade systems, ocean currents, and marine ecosystems, the project also recognizes that national action alone will not be sufficient. An important pillar of the project therefore focuses on supporting PSIDS participation in the ongoing negotiations for a global legally binding plastics treaty. The project will assist national delegations by generating policy recommendations, providing technical expertise, and ensuring that the specific needs and perspectives of PSIDS are reflected in international negotiations.Â
Particular emphasis will be placed on advocating for ambitious upstream measures within the global plastics treaty, including global restrictions on problematic plastic products, reductions in plastic production, stronger controls on chemicals used in plastics, transparency and traceability requirements throughout plastic supply chains, and financial mechanisms that reflect the Polluter Pays Principle. This is particularly important because most PSIDS are net importers of plastic products and often lack the technical and financial capacity to manage the growing burden of plastic waste through costly downstream waste management systems.Â
By linking national implementation with global advocacy, the project seeks to ensure that Pacific Island States are not only protected through stronger domestic policies, but also empowered to influence international rules that address plastic pollution at its source. In doing so, the project contributes to a systemic transition away from single-use plastics toward safer, reusable, locally adapted, and globally accountable solutions that protect marine ecosystems, human health, and the long-term resilience of Pacific communities.Â
Â
The project aims to achieve long-term systemic change by reducing plastic pollution in Pacific Small Island Developing States (PSIDS) through stronger national policies, improved local implementation systems, enhanced stakeholder capacity, and greater influence for PSIDS in international decision-making processes. The expected outcomes are intended to address both the immediate challenges faced by island communities and the structural global drivers that continue to generate plastic pollution far beyond national borders.
At the national level, the project aims to strengthen legislative and regulatory frameworks to significantly reduce the import, use, and environmental leakage of problematic plastic products. Through legislative gap analyses, policy recommendations, and close collaboration with governments, the project will support the development of more ambitious national laws that prioritize restrictions on single-use and other non-essential plastics, improve import controls, promote sustainable procurement policies, and strengthen enforcement mechanisms. Over time, these reforms are expected to substantially reduce the volume of unnecessary plastics entering Pacific Island States while laying the policy foundation for more sustainable consumption systems.Â
A second major outcome is the development of practical circular-economy solutions that reduce reliance on disposable plastic products and shift responsibility upstream in the value chain. Through support for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) systems, reuse models, refill systems, and take-back schemes, the project seeks to establish long-term systems that prevent plastic waste generation rather than relying solely on costly end-of-pipe waste management. In island contexts where waste infrastructure remains limited and reverse logistics are particularly challenging, these systems are expected to reduce waste leakage into marine ecosystems while creating opportunities for more sustainable local economic activity. At the same time, the project will help stimulate innovation in locally produced alternatives and reusable product systems, strengthening economic resilience and reducing dependence on imported disposable products.Â
The project also aims to significantly strengthen the capacity and influence of local stakeholders directly affected by plastic pollution but often excluded from policy development. Through capacity-building activities, training programs, workshops, citizen science initiatives, and sub-grants for local and civil society organizations, community leaders, women, youth, and Indigenous communities will gain stronger technical knowledge, advocacy skills, and decision-making capacity. As a result, these groups will be better positioned to shape national policy discussions, lead local implementation, raise awareness, and advocate for long-term, sustainable solutions rooted in local priorities and cultural knowledge. The project places particular emphasis on shifting power toward local actors and ensuring that solutions are locally owned and sustained beyond the project period.Â
Beyond national implementation, the project seeks to strengthen the role of Pacific Island States in shaping international plastics governance. By supporting national delegations in negotiating the global plastics treaty, the project aims to ensure that the specific challenges and priorities of PSIDS are more strongly reflected in future international regulations. A key expected outcome is stronger recognition in global negotiations that countries heavily dependent on imports, with limited waste infrastructure and high exposure to transboundary marine pollution, require global solutions that address the problem at its source rather than placing disproportionate responsibility on downstream waste management. This includes stronger global commitments to reduce problematic plastic production, restrict hazardous chemicals in plastics, improve transparency and traceability throughout supply chains, and ensure that financial responsibility is placed on producers in line with the Polluter Pays Principle.Â
Taken together, these outcomes contribute to a broader, long-term transformation in how plastic pollution is addressed across the Pacific region. By combining stronger national legislation, practical reuse systems, empowered local stakeholders, and stronger international advocacy, the project seeks to reduce plastic dependency, protect marine biodiversity, safeguard public health, strengthen local economies, and ensure that Pacific Island States play a leading role in shaping the global response to plastic pollution.Â
Ultimately, the project aims to demonstrate that small island nations, despite contributing least to the global plastics crisis, can become powerful drivers of systemic change by advancing solutions that prioritize prevention, accountability, local resilience, and environmental justice.Â
Meet the Partnering Organizations
Te Ipukarea Society, The Cook Islands
The Locally Managed Marine Area Network (LMMA), Fiji
The Palau Conservation Society, Palau
Â
Swedish Society for Nature Conservation (SSNC)
Â
Health and Environment Justice Support (HEJSupport)
Â
groundWork South Africa
Cawthron InstituteÂ
Our blog
Explore the latest updates, insights, and stories from the PSIDS Project as we work to reduce plastic pollution and protect marine ecosystems across the Pacific.
