Pafilio Tangitau & Sons Bakery is sponsoring clean up

We have our first official sponsor for the clean up in June. Pafilio Tangitau and Sons Bakery is sponsoring flour bags which will be given to volunteers to collect trash. Soane , owner of the bakery, is especially concerned about the increase of littering outside the villages, in the forests and along roads. He asks for more than just a single clean up. He asks for education to create awareness and a long term strategy to deal with waste.

VEPA is on it. We will do our best!

VEPA is planning a massive clean up in the Neiafu/Toula district of Vava’u. It is going to take place from June 7th to the 11th.
According to a study from the Second Vava’u Development Program, 94.3 % percent of the rubbish is burnt in backyards. The rest is either brought to the only official dump site in Vava’u, which is leaking into the ocean, poisoning shellfish or littered somewhere on the island. Therefore all collected rubbish will be sorted and then sent to Nuku’alofa, to be recycled or properly disposed.
Both, the clean up and the previous education campaign will create a new attitude towards waste management minimizing the negative health impacts for the people of Vava’u.

Houma Nature Park Opening

VEPA was invited to the opening of the new Nature Park in Houma. The Houma Primary School created this nature park to preserve native plants in an area around the school yard, to teach the children environmental basics.
After the opening ceremony, guests were invited to join the families of the students for lunch. A huge variety of different meals was offered, while the students entertained the visitors, performing Tongan and Fijian war dances in colorful costumes.

VEPA wants to thank Houma Primary School for this invitation and offer its support for future plans with the nature park.