A Pacific-first, world-class, approach to Waste Management opens in Papua New Guinea.

It was fitting that 26 students from two local primary schools, Roku and Tuhava International Primary, attended and participated in the event, representing the next generation of green warriors to come. Credit: TWM Group

A significant milestone in the country’s approach to waste management was celebrated at an official event hosted by the TWM Group Managing Director Mr Kori Chan and Group CEO Mr Michael Chan, Jr with special guest The Hon. John Rosso MP, Acting Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea.

The occasion, attended by more than 150 key stakeholders and marked the completion of stage one of a country-first, world-class, waste management strategy – that will provide the highest level of environmental protection for the treatment of hazardous waste in Papua New Guinea.

An aerial view of the facility. Credit: TWM Group.

Mr Kori Chan, Managing Director of TWM Group highlighted the significance of this and what it represents during his opening remarks.

‘The Total Waste Management Hazardous Waste Landfill is the first of its kind in Oceania, alongside Australia and New Zealand; built right here in Hiri Koiari District, Central Province. It will introduce a ‘global best practice’ approach to compliant treatment of wastes with hazardous characteristics in Papua New Guinea’ he said.

During his keynote address, the Acting Prime Minister expanded on this and the importance of the occasion not only for the company but for the country, region and the global community.

‘Our very survival on planet earth relies on, among others, how we as a collective humanity play a role in managing our waste at the individual, family, community, country, region and global level’ he said.

‘This new Hazardous Waste Landfill will propel the country’s waste management capabilities locally and regionally, representing a significant step towards a sustainable future for the nation and its future generations to come’ he said.

A moderated panel of experts including the TWM project team shared insights into what it took to deliver such a project to world-class standards. This included the rigorous process followed to obtain all necessary approvals and permits including being the first waste management company to be awarded a Level 3 Environment Permit by CEPA, and the application of global best practise EPA standards at every step.

Acting Prime Minister John Russo continued ‘I wish to encourage TWM to not only support and work closely with the government to drive initiatives in
Waste Management and related policies, laws, and administrative processes but continue to drive changes, of course in partnership with your key stakeholders, drawing on from the experiences and lessons learnt from the planning and development of this facility and its operations, going forward.’ .

Mr Kori Chan left all guests with a powerful reminder that we are all custodians of this land Papua New Guinea. ‘We often say, yumi no faul man. Meaning, we know where our land is, we know where we belong. If we can no longer live on our land and be sustained by it, then it means we have no home, we have no identity, we have nothing. We must do all we can to protecting our pristine environment and our people’ he said.

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