Waste management champion, Bethalyn Kelly leads young people’s effort on waste management and recycling in Solomon Islands

By Simon Tavake

“Careless waste disposal remains a major challenge, and changing how people think is key if individuals don’t recognize the importance of proper waste disposal, progress will be slow in homes and communities.”

These are the words of Bethalyn Kelly, a youth leader, and a waste management champion, whom many see as a role model. 

Ms. Kelly shared these remarks during a talk-back show on SIBC to commemorate Global Recycling Day on Sunday.

She pointed out that laziness, ignorance, and peer influence are some of the factors that prevent people, especially youths, from engaging in waste management activities such as recycling.

“Recycling is important and interesting because it is a practical initiative that encourages creativity while also helping to change people’s mindset about disposing of waste properly,” she said.

The 20-year-old is the President of the Resilience Innovation and Social Change Girls Club (RISCGC), based in Tuvaruhu, Central Honiara. 

The club was established in 2021 by young female innovators within the Tuvaruhu community, along with like-minded individuals who are passionate about protecting the environment and exploring new innovations.

Among their various initiatives such as savings clubs, catering clubs, and environmental awareness programs, the club is focusing on an innovative new project: using plastic recycling to create eco-pavement bricks, a first in the Solomon Islands.

Their goal is to implement practical initiatives, particularly in recycling plastic waste, such as Polyethylene Terephthalate bottles (Mineral Water Bottles) and single-use plastics, to produce eco-pavement bricks.

In an interview with SIBC in 2024, Ms. Kelly explained that the idea for recycling plastic waste came about during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

While the pandemic closed many doors to reality, it also opened new avenues for creative thinking and innovation. 

She shared that the crisis provided an opportunity to pause, reflect, and develop a solution that not only addresses waste management but also contributes to building sustainable infrastructure.

Through her proactive approach and willingness to overcome challenges, Kelly has gained recognition among the Commonwealth nations.

Early this month she was announced as the winner of the top 2025 Commonwealth Youth Awards for the Pacific region.

She was nominated for the prestigious Commonwealth Youth Award for forming a girls’ club dedicated to empowering young women.

The 20-year-old was named the Pacific Regional Winner of the Commonwealth Youth Awards for Excellence in Development Work.

Despite the efforts of youth leaders like Kelly, waste recycling remains a challenge in the Solomon Islands, particularly in rural areas.

Nearly 90 percent of the population is still unfamiliar with its environmental and economic benefits.

During the commemoration of Global Recycling Day on Sunday, the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management, and Meteorology emphasized the importance of waste recycling as a crucial step in protecting the environment.

In his remarks, the Minister for Environment, Hon. Trevor Mane-Mahaga, highlighted that effective recycling is about turning challenges into opportunities.

With this year’s theme, “Breaking Barriers: A Revolutionary Blueprint for the Waste Management Crisis,” the environment minister called for innovative solutions that can help overcome obstacles to effective recycling and encourage sustainable waste management practices across the country. 

“Global Recycling Day is a time to remind everyone to see waste as a resource rather than a burden.

“This year’s theme calls for innovative solutions, collaborative efforts, and policy advancements to break down barriers to effective recycling. It is about transforming obstacles into opportunities,” 

“Additionally, it highlights the urgent need for innovative collaborations to address the escalating waste management and recycling issues in the Solomon Islands,” Minister Mane-Mahaga said.

Minister Mane Mahaga also pointed out that recycling is part of a circular economy which helps to protect the natural resources.

This means that effective waste management, including recycling, is crucial for conserving natural resources in the Solomon Islands. 

“For Solomon Islands, we are blessed to have a significant portion of the world’s ecosystem which our people, our culture and our way of life depends very much on.

“However, we are at the frontline of biodiversity loss, climate change, waste and pollution which has caused a threat to our economy, livelihoods and deprived our future generations of the rights to our pristine environment,” Mahaga said.

The country faces significant challenges due to limited recycling infrastructure and public awareness. 

A 2012 Asian Development Bank (ADB) report emphasized the importance of waste minimization and better recycling systems to reduce landfill volumes and extend the lifespan of existing dumpsites.

In 2020, Honiara generated an estimated 0.8 tons (80,000 kilograms) of waste per day, resulting in an annual total of 29,200 to 35,970 tons. Most of this waste ends up at the Ranadi Dumpsite, the city’s only landfill.

According to Wendy Betty, Chief Environment Officer at the Ministry’s Environment and Conservation Division, recycling has been a key factor in reducing the amount of waste that reaches the landfill. 

“In terms of waste management, recycling plays an important role in reducing wastes that end up at the landfill, which helps extend the life of the site,” she said.

While the tourism sector promotes the country as an ideal destination with a pristine environment, waste management issues have painted a different picture.

Rachel Sibisopere, Principal Tourism Officer of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism also emphasized the importance of recycling in protecting the environment and sustaining tourism.

“Recycling is essential for the tourism industry, as it helps protect the environment and preserve the country’s image as a pristine, sustainable destination. 

“Not only does it help preserve our natural beauty, but it can also improve the image we wish to project to visitors, ” Mrs. Sibisopere said.

Since 2019, the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, and Disaster Management, Honiara City Council, Japan Technical Regional Cooperation on Promotion of Regional Initiatives on Solid Waste Management and the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme have established the Solomon Islands Recyclers and Waste Management Association (SIRWMA).

It aims to strengthen the country’s capacity to reduce waste, promote recycling, and foster a circular economy, all in line with the Cleaner Pacific 2025 initiative.

While significant challenges remain, especially in rural areas, the continued efforts of youth leaders like Bethalyn Kelly and initiatives like SIRWMA give hope for a cleaner, more sustainable future. 

By working together, Solomon Islands can turn waste into a valuable resource and preserve its natural beauty for generations to come.

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