Tonga has been awarded Best Country Booth at the inaugural Circularity, Innovation, Recovery, Culture, Learning, and Environment (CIRCLE) Expo 2025 in Samoa, highlighting its groundbreaking efforts in asbestos removal—a key initiative protecting communities from hazardous materials.
The PacWastePlus Project, implemented by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), partnered with Tonga’s Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications (MEIDECC) to safely remove and dispose of 2,622.79 m² of non-friable asbestos from five government buildings.
Three of the cleared buildings have been re-roofed and remain in use, while the other two derelict structures were secured to prevent exposure.
As part of the project, Tonga also adopted an Asbestos Management Code of Practice (AMCOP), ensuring safe handling and supervision of asbestos-containing materials (ACM) nationwide.
At the CIRCLE Expo, held at Taumeasina Island Resort, Tonga’s booth showcased the PacWastePlus initiative’s real-world impact.
Ms. Sulieti Hufanga-Ofa from MEIDECC said: “Here at the CIRCLE Expo, there are a lot of success stories, but I can say and I think the asbestos removal project is the highlight from this PacWastePlus project for us in Tonga because of the impact it has had on the protection of lives and our communities.”
She said asbestos is one of the riskiest wastes in the Pacific, and through this project, we’ve successfully removed it, trained personnel, and established a code of practice.
“We are extremely grateful for the work done and its impact on saving lives and protecting our community against the harmful impacts of such waste.”
The CIRCLE Expo brings together Pacific nations to share innovations in sustainability, waste management, and environmental protection. Tonga’s recognition underscores its leadership in addressing critical health and environmental challenges.
With this milestone, Tonga sets an example for the region, proving that collaborative efforts can lead to safer, healthier communities
