Interchange Sponsors Mele Plastic-Free Big Beach Tidy Up

A new initiative sponsored by Interchange Limited (ICL) aims to transform Mele

Beach into one of Vanuatu’s first plastic and rubbish free premium beach destinations through

collective environmental action.

“Plastic-Free Mele” brings together village leaders, school groups and market vendors to help

remove plastic pollution and preserve the local environment. The initiative is supported by ICL as part

of its broader commitment to community development.

A key focus of the project is the creation of a continual clean environment for everyone to enjoy, from

local children playing in the sand to tourists.

“We are grateful that Mele was invited to be part of the Plastic-Free project to help keep our beach

clean, while providing an incentive for the whole community to become involved,” said Chief of Mele

Simeon Poilapa IV Tivatelapa. “Preserving the environment is everyone’s business. We want our

beach to continue to be an attraction for locals and tourists alike for generations to come.”

The program began earlier in the week with awareness sessions for schools and market vendors in

Mele and ended with a half-day beach clean-up on Thursday. Hundreds attended the clean-up,

including students, teachers, church leaders and the UK High Commissioner.

The project is in collaboration with local leaders to help educate the community and provide

workable, sustainable solutions, with local “climate champions” leading future clean-ups and

activities. Cash and other prizes were awarded to the teams of children who collected the most waste.

“If we can strengthen Mele Beach’s appeal to eco-conscious visitors and position it as a model, we

can then start to replicate the initiative beyond Mele,” said James Willie, a director of Interchange,

Labour Commissioner and tidy-up judge.

Signs and waste bins have been permanently installed along Mele Beach, with a local representative

from Mele village to replace the rubbish bags and bins to be emptied by CK Rubbish three times per

week. Project organisers will also provide ongoing mentoring following the program to help ensure

long-term sustainability.

If successful, the project will demonstrate how grassroots solutions can address global pollution

challenges while empowering local communities.

“We are grateful for Mele to receive this support and are motivated to get started,” said long-term ICL

employee and Mele resident Mery David. “Hopefully the project will create enough awareness around

the importance of our environment so the community can maintain it long term.”