Hi Everyone ? I am excited to participate in the PacWastePlus and GEF ISLANDS Study Tour to learn more about these Sustainable Financing systems. Here in Tonga, we are currently seeking opportunities and planning to implement systems that is sustainable to resolving waste issues, especially with tacking single used plastic waste and implementing recycling etc. Waste Authority Limited introduced it’s first recycling service in April 2022 to the public. We have incorporated this new service to our normal waste collection network. The public can now sort their plastic bottles and glass bottles from home and WAL collects them and processed with recycling machines (through donor funded projects) at the landfill. While there’s so many other types of waste that can be recycled, our capacity now only allows us to start with the plastic and glass bottles. We’re hoping to get more support to expand recycling to the outer islands and be able to process all recyclable waste locally to create other products and save our landfills. Bulky waste and abandoned vehicles are also a major issue in Tonga. This tour will be an awesome experience to learn more from regulators and experts in Australia on how they’re taking the lead in implementing these sustainable financial systems in waste management. Most importantly to learn how we can implement a system that better suits Tonga. The things I am most looking forward to learn are Container Deposit Scheme, Circular Economy, E-waste and Organics. All these are very relevant to resolving current waste issues in Tonga. I plan to take home what I will learn and experience during this tour and help implement work plans that will contribute to resolving waste management issues in Tonga.