Mary O'Reilly – Waste Management Adviser in Vanuatu

Prior to working with VSA, Mary was living in Christchurch and employed by Christchurch City Council as a Community Engagement Adviser.

What Mary is doing in Vanuatu

Vanuatu, like many Pacific countries, has limited municipal rubbish collection and no current recycling scheme. In the town of Luganville, for example, separating waste before collection for recycling is not practiced and there is just one rubbish truck to service an urban population of around 12,000. The town continues to have a huge rubbish issue. Plastic, cardboard and rotting food waste regularly builds up on the streets causing various health hazards and the one large open landfill, situated 7km out of town is unsanitary with no protection to stop toxins seeping into the surrounding area.

Mary is helping the Province of Sanma (where Luganville is situated) develop a Waste Management Plan to feed into Vanuatu’s first National Waste Management Strategy, adopted in April 2011. The plan will help Mary and her colleagues at the Municipal and Provincial Councils develop ways to collect plastic, glass, paper and metal for recycling and a system for composting organic wastes.

She works with three other staff, one from each Council and one from the Department of the Environment and Conservation.

Making a positive impact

In January 2012, Mary worked with two colleagues to conduct the first waste audits of households within three new housing developments in Luganville. The developments will increase the population by approximately 2,000. Mary says that with this information, the Councils can, for the first time, calculate the type and quantity of waste generated by the average family.

A number of waste audits are now being planned in other sectors, such as retail, office, hospitality and industry.

Mary feels that she has already been able to bring knowledge to show new ways of approaching issues that to date have seemed too big to overcome.

Mary’s highlights so far

“The constant sunshine is still something I can’t get used to (especially coming from chilly Christchurch!). The amazing choice of stunning beaches to spend your weekends at is such a treat!”

“The other Volunteers also make this a great experience. We all come from such different lifestyles and backgrounds but we all get on well, and provide so much support for each other.”

What Vanuatu has taught Mary

“Really enjoy the simple things in life.”

“Don’t sweat the small stuff – it’s actually not the end of the world when the internet goes down for a few hours!”

“Accepting life without a car. The walking is great, it’s reasonably flat and there are taxis everywhere so it’s not too tough.”

“Patience – an oldie but a goodie”

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