FSM Waste Policy

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Solid Waste Management

Executive Summary
The vision of the National Solid and Hazardous Waste Management Strategy of the Federated States of 
Micronesia 2024–2034 (National Waste Management Strategy) is that: 
The Federated States of Micronesia consider all waste as a valuable resource to be managed 
sustainably.
The National Waste Management Strategy is a ten-year commitment by the National Government that 
aims to meet the following objectives for the betterment of the environment and the people of the FSM:
1. Eliminate waste and pollution through prioritizing waste avoidance and reduction. 
2. Reuse and recycle materials and retain them in the system at their highest value. 
3. Regenerate nature for the betterment of the natural environment.
4. Achieve positive social, economic and cultural benefits for the people of the FSM. 
5. Place accountability and responsibility where it belongs. 
The National Waste Management Strategy acknowledges and seeks to enable the FSM States to 
continue delivery of their individual solid waste management strategies and recognizes that effective 
management of solid and hazardous wastes is everyone’s responsibility. At the heart of this lay 
collaboration and teamwork – key values that will drive a successful shift towards sustainable waste 
and resource management. 
Alignment is also a key value for the National Waste Management Strategy and, as such, care has been 
taken to align it with the strategic management framework set out in the SPREP Cleaner Pacific 2025 
Strategy and the SPREP Regional Waste Data Collection, Monitoring and Reporting Framework, which 
has been embedded within the Action Plan and associated key performance indicators. Further, the 
National Waste Management Strategy sets out clearly the roles and responsibilities of both the National 
and State Governments. 
The key drivers for change that the National Waste Management Strategy addresses are:
ƒ Support and facilitate States to fulfil obligations to international agreements.
ƒ The need to establish sustainable funding models for waste management.
ƒ Gaps in the understanding of waste and waste management.
ƒ Ongoing solid and hazardous waste issues in FSM.
The FSM is presented with several waste issues including:
ƒ Sustainable financing and the reliance on external sources to fund capital works and 
operational works.
ƒ Disposal infrastructure and the challenges arising based on existing waste management 
infrastructure in the States.
ƒ Processing infrastructure and stockpiling including difficulties in operating and maintaining materials 
processing equipment. 
NATIONAL SOLID AND HAZARDOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT STRATEGY OF THE FEDERATED STATES OF MICRONESIA 2024–2034 3
ƒ The cost of export waste for processing, with many materials requiring funding to cover shipping 
and/or processing costs.
ƒ Diverse legal frameworks spanning the four States meaning that each has in place structures that 
work best for them and their people but that may not be consistent with other States.
ƒ Inconsistent data collection, monitoring and reporting across the FSM. 
ƒ Low quality imports that are typically imported from more developed countries and are generally 
cheap to purchase and have a limited lifespan, leading to their becoming waste quickly. 
As well as issues, the FSM also has several opportunities and strengths to leverage including:
ƒ Active container deposit legislation in three of the four States. 
ƒ Keenness for cross-State collaboration.
ƒ Capacity for Indigenous knowledge sharing.
ƒ Strong interest in nation-wide education and engagement. 
To bring all this together, the National Waste Management Strategy has defined four Focus Areas 
as follows:
1. National coordination which describes the ability of the National Government to set a cohesive and 
unified vision for waste management across the FSM, with policies, standards, and regulations to 
support its realization.
2. Sustainable finance through inter-organizational partnerships which centers on the FSM National 
Government forging strategic relationships to secure finance to establish self-sustaining waste 
management systems. 
3. Capacity building and collaboration which addresses the need to strengthen the abilities and 
competencies of individuals, organizations, and communities involved in waste management 
across all the FSM States.
4. Ongoing solid and hazardous waste matters which include difficulties related to the generation, 
handling, disposal, and long-term impacts of solid and hazardous waste including challenges with 
regulatory compliance, enforcement of waste policies, and the promotion of sustainable waste 
practices across the FSM. 
To ensure the National Waste Management Strategy remains relevant and resilient to change, the FSM 
National Government is committed to undertake a formal review process following completion of the 
first five-year action plan. 
The purpose of this review will be to evaluate progress on each of the focus areas and actions against 
their respective performance metrics. It will also consider changes in the waste sector, advancements 
in industry practices, environmental concerns, and stakeholder feedback. 
Together, this information will be used to revise the National Waste Management Strategy, if needed, 
and develop the next five-year action plan.