Te Tu’anga Taporoporo National Environment Service (NES) will coordinate its annual ‘Clean Up the Cook Islands Day’ event this Friday, emphasising the importance of environmental action and also to inspire collective action against waste.

Last year, a total of 357 kilogram of waste was collected by over 100 volunteers during the annual Clean Up the Cook Islands campaign held in September. This was a significant improvement from 2022’s waste haul of 750.8 kilograms, most of which consisted of general waste and scrap metal.

This year, the event aligns with global initiatives such as World Cleanup Day 2024, which focuses on “Arctic Cities and Marine Litter” in Tromsø, Norway, focusing on the need to protect vulnerable and remote ecosystems from pollution.

Moana Tetauru, NES digital and communications co-ordinator, said: “Both efforts aim to inspire communities to combat waste and pollution while promoting sustainable practices.”

“In the Cook Islands, collective action is encouraged to address waste issues, particularly in coastal and stream areas, reflecting global concerns over marine litter and the importance of community-driven cleanup efforts in fragile ecosystems, including island nations.”

On Friday, schools and communities on Rarotonga and across the Pa Enua will participate in cleaning up their areas with around 800 volunteers involved across the islands.

Tetauru said this year’s focus was on waste collection in foreshore and stream areas, which have previously posed challenges.

In the Pa Enua, Aitutaki and Mangaia have added unique elements to their events to engage senior students. Mangaia will host a speech competition on the impacts of waste, while Aitutaki will run a social media competition.

Te Tu’anga Taporoporo is once again calling on volunteers around the Cook Islands to be part of the clean up campaign. Volunteers can still register online for the event.

Te Tu’anga Taporoporo is grateful for the ongoing support from organisations such as Infrastructure Cook Islands, CITC and Prime Foods.

Businesses, government agencies, schools and individuals who have registered include staff from CITC, Airport Authority, Te Marae Ora, Destination Coordination Division (DCD), Apii Araura Primary (Aitutaki), Apii Vaitau (Aitutaki), Titikaveka College, Apii Rutaki, Apii Arorangi, Apii Takitumu, Apii Avarua, Apii Nikao, Apii Mauke, Tetautua and Omoka Schools (Tongareva), Mangaia School, and Lilibeth Warren and Sheryl McEwen.

The last year’s Rarotonga “Clean Up the Cook Islands Day” collected 150kg general waste, 29kg plastic bottles, 25kg aluminium cans, 40kg glass bottles, 43kg scrap metals and 70kg of miscellaneous items.