The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) this week participated at the Bazaar, a circular economy initiative by the Environment Conservation Division (ECD) of the Ministry of Environment, Lands and Agricultural Development (MELAD).
Based on the theme of “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Recover’, the Bazaar showcased how plastic, organic and other waste materials can be repurposed into valuable items such as jewelries, flower vase, door mats, and other decorative items. The Bazaar also promoted how natural waste such as tree branches. leaves and seaweed should be reused for domestic purposes such organic fertilizers.
TAK partnered with renown local artist Nei Tekarawa Kilifi who showcased repurposed plastic items that she crafted following her participation at the Kiribati Pacific Tourism Plastic Repurposing Training that was conducted on Tarawa in December 2020.
In January 2021, the Creative Tourism Network awarded TAK with the Best Strategy in Creative Tourism Development during the Creative Tourism Awards for its Pacific Tourism Plastic Repurposing Program. TAK is committed to continue its work in this aspect of the circular economy as it progresses towards strengthening sustainable tourism development across Kiribati.
