Honiara Communities Lead the Charge to Clean Urban Streams under the CAUSE II Project

HONIARA, Solomon Islands – WHAT began as a pilot cleanup effort is quickly turning into a powerful example of community-driven environmental change.

The Community-led stream cleanup initiative under Component 2: Safe and Inclusive Communities of the CAUSE II Project is already delivering visible results in Honiara, with 14 truckloads of rubbish removed in just 20 days.

Covering a 670-meter stretch from Jericho to Matariu, three teams worked together to clear heavily polluted waterways, with the results including; 14 truckloads of waste, nearly 70 bags of rubbish – with waste dominated by plastic bottles (25%) and gas cans (25%).

Community Liaison Officer, Penny Siliako highlighted, “The numbers tell more than just a cleanup story – they reveal behaviour patterns. The high volume of single-use plastics and household waste points to gaps in disposal systems and public awareness. At the same time, the strong turnout from community members shows a willingness to be part of the solution.”

With two new teams now joining the effort, the project is now receiving strong community support with residents calling for better waste systems, awareness campaigns and long-term solutions.

Despite challenges such as sanitation issues and difficult access in downstream areas, the CAUSE II pilot project is showing promising signs of success – highlighting the power of community action in tackling urban pollution.

Implemented by the Solomon Islands Government, the CAUSE II Project is supported by the World Bank and the Australian Government through the PNG and Pacific Islands Umbrella Facility Multi-Donor Trust Fund. The project aims to improve urban infrastructure, strengthen climate resilience, and expand employment opportunities across key urban centres in Solomon Islands.

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