Halo Oloketa! Greetings from Solomon Islands. I am excited to participate in the PacWastePlus and the GEF Islands study to learn more from these systems especially the design and the implementation. Here in the Solomon Islands, currently there is no viable options for the recovery of organic wastes and recyclables. without any proper facility and system, these items are either landfilled, burnt or dumped into the surrounding environment. However through the Ministry of Environment, Solomon islands has implemented that project that will soon introduce organic processing program in one of the country's largest food markets. This will include building of a organic processing facility. Solomon islands is also gearing up and working towards introducing of an Advance Recovery Fee & Deposit System and Legislation to improve the recycling rate. This program of introducing a ARDS system is a step into the right direction.

I am hoping that with this study tour, i get to hear and learn from the experts, country experiences, challenges faced and how do we start to implement tangible change. Looking forward to participating with you all.