Help Shape a Cleaner Honiara for a More Sustainable Future

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Noel Orudiana, Aimee Hampel, Wilson Eta

Greater Honiara is vibrant, fast growing, and full of promise. Yet the city faces a challenge that touches every home, community, and coastline: solid waste management. Years of rapid urbanization, limited infrastructure, and tight budgets have made it difficult to manage the growing volume of waste. Many peri‑urban communities still lack reliable collection services, resulting in common practices of burning and illegal dumping that harm both health and the environment.

But change is underway.

The Asian Development Bank’s Integrated Solid Waste Management Project (ISWMP) is helping move Honiara toward a cleaner, healthier, and more climate‑resilient future. The project strengthens waste systems, improves delivery of services, and expands access to proper waste management across the Greater Honiara Area.

A Growing Challenge in a Growing City

As Honiara’s population increases, so does pressure on waste services. Many residents, particularly in informal and vulnerable settlements do not receive regular waste collection. Only about 59% of households have access to formal waste collection services, with even less coverage in peri‑urban areas. Without alternatives, households often resort to burning or dumping rubbish, worsening flooding, blocking drains, and spreading vector‑borne diseases.

The city’s aging Ranadi dumpsite, in use since the 1970s, is overfilled and needs urgent systematic interventions. It emits greenhouse gases, contaminates water sources, and threatens coastal ecosystems. The Government’s State of the Environment Report highlights these impacts, underscoring the urgent need for systemic and long‑term improvements.

What the ISWMP Delivers

Approved in 2024 with a value of US$19.41 million, the project focuses on two major outputs that will significantly reshape Honiara’s waste sector.

1. Developing climate‑resilient and sustainable waste infrastructure

Key activities include identifying improved waste disposal options such as a new landfill in Tenaru, developing a materials recovery facility at the old Ranadi dumpsite, and establishing city‑wide recycling and resource recovery systems. These measures support a shift toward a more circular, climate‑resilient local waste economy.

2. Strengthening governance, service delivery, and community engagement

Beyond infrastructure, the project invests in new mobile waste bins, waste compactors, prime mover trucks, and other essential landfill and waste collection plant and equipment. It supports tariff and cost‑recovery systems, improves collection in both formal and informal settlements, enhances hazardous waste regulation, and runs community education programs with targeted outreach to women. Together, these actions help build a more efficient, inclusive, and sustainable waste management system.

People at the Center of Waste Solutions

Solid waste management is not just an infrastructure challenge, it is a community one. The project emphasizes equitable access, especially for underserved informal settlements, and promotes awareness and behavior change to ensure long‑term improvements, clean neighborhoods and better quality of life for residents.

Momentum toward a cleaner Honiara has never been stronger. ADB, the Solomon Islands Government, Honiara City Council, and local communities are working together to build a more resilient, livable city.

But lasting change depends on everyone. You can help shape a cleaner, healthier Honiara by:

• Disposing of waste responsibly and avoiding burning or dumping in drains, rivers, and open public spaces.

• Using collection services where available.

• Separating recyclable materials to support the city’s growing recycling system.

• Joining community clean‑ups and sharing information with family, neighbors, and community groups.

• Encouraging others, especially our young generation to take pride in keeping Honiara clean.

Together, we can build a clean city that future generations will be proud to call home.