Pacific Tourism Organisation and Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme Plan for the Third Phase of the phasing out of the single-use plastics programme of action

The third phase of the progamme to phase out single-use plastics, implemented through the partnership between the Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) and the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) with the support of the Australian Government-funded Pacific Ocean Litter Project, will commence from July/August this year. It will focus on data collection and monitoring.

The phase will be tailored to practical solutions to measure (map and track business’s plastic footprint), reduce (visualise the impact of plastic reduction strategies), and report (export and share results).

This was announced at the SPTO Board of Directors meeting in Nadi on May 6th,2026. Also launched was the supplier directory of sustainable substitutes and alternatives.

This milestone signals a practical shift for the tourism industry—equipping businesses not only with awareness, but with the tools, suppliers, and digital data platform needed to actively support efforts to reduce single-use plastics and measure their environmental impact.

The initiative, responds directly to the growing pressure plastic pollution places on Pacific ecosystems and economies. For tourism operators, this means clearer pathways to transition away from single-use plastics, access to vetted sustainable suppliers, and the ability to track and report progress—critical for both environmental accountability and market competitiveness.

Since 2023, SPREP and the Pacific Tourism Organisation have worked in partnership to advance Goal 4 of the Pacific Sustainable Tourism Policy Framework—Healthy Islands, Healthy Oceans—through a targeted programme to phase out problematic single-use plastics in the tourism sector. The newly launched innovation drive and supplier directory now bring that work directly to the industry frontlines.

SPREP’s Seiuli Dwayne Bentley emphasised the urgency and scale of the challenge: “Pacific Island countries are already experiencing the impacts of the triple planetary crisis—climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. Plastic pollution, particularly in our coastal and marine environments, is a growing threat that requires immediate and collective action. Through the Pacific Ocean Litter Project, we are supporting countries to move beyond commitments and into practical solutions that eliminate plastics and protect our oceans.”

With the announcement of Phase 3 of the partnership, the programme will now deepen its impact through data-driven implementation. From Q3 2026, support will focus on helping tourism businesses measure their plastic footprint, reduce usage through targeted interventions, and report on progress. This marks a critical evolution—from awareness to accountability.

Chris Cocker, Chief Executive Officer of SPTO, highlighted the significance for the tourism sector: “This is about giving our tourism operators the tools to act. The awareness campaign builds understanding, the supplier list provides immediate alternatives, and Phase 3 introduces the systems needed to measure and demonstrate progress. Together, this strengthens the credibility of Pacific tourism as a leader in sustainability and positions our members to meet both environmental expectations and evolving market demands.”