KOROR (Palau Horizon) — President Tommy Remengesau has proposed a bill that would establish a recycling program focusing on the proper disposal of imported cans and bottles.
The measure introduced by the president seeks the imposition of a beverage container deposit fee and the creation of the recycling fund. One of Palau’s most visible forms of pollution is the dumping of beverage containers throughout its islands, he said.
Remengesau said the recycling program will help address the increasing concern over limited sites for landfills.
He said the lack of a nationwide recycling program affects the growth of the tourism industry in Palau.
“The proposed law recognizes that the continued expansion of our economy requires that we put into place the statutory regime to protect our natural environment. Sustainable development is nowhere more relevant than in the control and management of our artificial waste,” he said in a letter to Senate President Seit Andres.
Remengesau said disposal of imported cans and bottles should be the first step toward managing waste.
He has directed the Office of Environmental Response and Coordination to identify international funding sources to assist in the implementation of the program.
He anticipates the availability of the funding within the next three months.
According to the president, the planning, development and operation of a statewide recycling program based on the imposition of a deposit fee for beverage containers will pay for itself.
Once the measure becomes law, every beverage distributor will have to pay to the Ministry of Administration 15 cents per beverage container.
