Phase two of the Tu’anga Taporoporo/National Environment Service (NES), Te Titā ki te Titā kore programme, Rarotonga’s legacy waste project, has been extended until June 2025.

From next Tuesday  November 12, Cook Islands General Transport (CIGT) will accept e-waste and whiteware at their facility in Tutakimoa.

 “The Titā ki te Titā kore (TKTTK) programme is a critical step towards addressing our island’s growing waste crisis,” said, NES director. Halatoa Fua

“We are grateful for the support of the government, private sector and the community, whose engagement has been instrumental in its success.

“As we look ahead, we are committed to continuing this important work and expanding the programme's reach to tackle this important issue.”

More than 286,101 kilograms of legacy waste (electronic and whiteware waste) was collected from around Rarotonga during the first phase of the project which rolled out in July 2023 to May 2024.

Fifty two containers were exported to New Zealand which included 33 x 20 foot containers and 19 x 40 foot containers.

Mii Herman, NES Senior Environmental Partnerships Co-ordinator said there were no hazardous materials found in the first phase of the Legacy Waste project.

She said there were not any big challenges either besides the procurement of containers.

The aim of the Legacy Waste project is to address the environmental and health risks posed by the improper disposal of end of life household and office appliances and end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) on Rarotonga.

Items listed in the recycling and disposal fee schedule provided online will be accepted for disposal. Any unlisted items will not be accepted. All items must be thoroughly cleaned and completely free of any contamination, including green waste, food residue, or other unacceptable materials.

E-waste/whiteware waste will be accepted on Tuesday 12 November, E-waste/whiteware waste on Wednesday 12 November, for End of life vehicles (ELV) contact CIGT to arrange pickup.

The CIGT recycling and disposal fees include commercial/government (C/G) and private household (PH) rates: Fridge/Freezers – C/G $55, PH $22; chillers/double door fridges - C/G $100, PH $40; washing machine C/G $20, PH $8; dryer C/G $20, PH $8; oven/stove – C/G $20, PH $8; TVs/Flat Screens – C/G $10, PH $4, and more.

For more information, please contact NES office on 21256 or CIGT office on 24441.