Waste Recycling Environment Network - WREN

At WREN, the circular economy is more than a strategy—it is the heart of everything we do. We believe that true sustainability isn't just about reducing waste; it’s about revitalizing the systems that connect people, culture, and the land.

One of the most tangible ways we bring this to life is through the tableware we choose for our events. By prioritizing traditional Islander tableware—such as mailo and other indigenous designs—we do more than celebrate heritage; we embrace one of the most effective, zero-waste solutions available.🌱

Our commitment goes beyond aesthetics. By actively purchasing mailo and locally crafted tableware instead of single use plactic, we are creating direct, meaningful financial incentives for local artisans to maintain and pass down essential cultural practices. When we invest in these traditional crafts, we help ensure that these skills remain vibrant and economically viable for future generations, transforming a cultural asset into a modern livelihood.

The journey of our tableware does not end when the meal is over. After each event, these items don’t become waste; they become a critical resource. Our shell bowls and woven plates are collected and composted, injecting valuable organic matter into our systems.

It is a simple, powerful reminder: when we design with culture, community, and the environment in mind, everyone benefits. We aren't just hosting events; we are building a more resilient, circular future—one meal at a time. 💚
Want to host a zero waste event in your organisation or community? Get in touch with our team.

Once a vital part of the Caribbean's marine ecosystem, sargassum is now washing ashore in unprecedented, overwhelming amounts. Driven by warming ocean temperatures, shifting currents, and nutrient runoff, these massive, persistent blooms have transformed from a natural phenomenon into a severe regional crisis. The impact of these "Great Atlantic Sargassum Belts" is nothing short of profound:

Environmental Toll: As massive piles of seaweed decompose on beaches, they deplete oxygen in the water (hypoxia), suffocating marine life and damaging coral reefs.

Public Health Hazards: The decomposition process releases hydrogen sulfide and ammonia, which produce a pungent, "rotten egg" smell. This poses significant respiratory risks to local residents and beach workers.

Economic Devastation: Tourism is the lifeblood of many Caribbean nations. Beaches blanketed in decaying, brown seaweed deter visitors, forcing hotels to close and stripping local economies of vital income.

Infrastructure Stress: The sheer volume—often thousands of tons in a single day—clogs water intake pipes for desalination plants and power stations, leading to increased operational costs and potential service disruptions.

But what if this growing problem could become part of the solution?

Thanks to the support of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), WREN is turning the tide. By composting sargassum at the source, we are transforming this environmental challenge into a valuable, tangible resource. We aren't just cleaning beaches; we are creating nutrient-rich bio-fertilizer that supports healthier soils, reduces reliance on chemical fertilizers, and fosters a more circular, resilient future for our region.

We are excited to prove that even in the face of climate change, sustainable innovation can provide a path forward.

Stay tuned to follow our journey as we turn the tide.
https://belizefund.bz/brown-beaches/

Every Year, the Beaches in Belize Turn Brown – The Belize Fund Every Year, the Beaches in Belize Turn Brown Written by Hiram Carrillo June 10, 2026 The smell hits first.If you have stood on a beach in San Pedro, Caye Caulker, Hopkins, Seine Bight, or Placencia during a heavy sargassum season, you know it. The thick piles of brown seaweed. The heat. The flies. T...

The closed-door UNEP Heads of Delegation meeting in Nairobi concluded on July 3, 2026, and it seems the future of our oceans is being negotiated behind closed doors, and for Small Island Developing States (SIDS), this should be a critical concern. 🏝️🌊

Recent reports from the latest international plastic treaty meetings in Nairobi highlight a troubling trend: the exclusion of civil society and independent scientists from key discussions. At WREN, we believe this is a major misstep. When the voices of those living on the frontlines of plastic pollution are sidelined, and when independent scientific evidence is kept at a distance, the resulting policies are at risk of becoming weak, "waste-only" agreements that fail to address the root of the crisis.

For SIDS, a treaty that does not tackle primary plastic production and hazardous chemicals is not just an incomplete solution—it is a trap that locks in future pollution.

Our work on the ground proves that a better path exists. Through our marine litter monitoring, data collection, and community-based composting initiatives, we see every day that:

Science and Local Knowledge Must Lead: Robust, independent data—including the traditional knowledge of island communities—is essential. We need a treaty that institutionalizes this science-policy interface with strong conflict-of-interest safeguards.

Infrastructure is Key: We don't just need signatures on paper; we need a treaty that mandates technical support and long-term funding for circular waste management systems and resource recovery infrastructure tailored to the unique realities of islands.

Ambition is Non-Negotiable: We need a legally binding framework that addresses the entire life cycle of plastics. Solutions like community composting and local recovery programs are vital, but they need the structural backing of a global commitment that prioritizes human and environmental health over short-term production interests.

We stand with the Pacific and other ambitious nations calling for a treaty that refuses to settle for the lowest common denominator. Transparency is not a privilege; it is a right. We must ensure that the upcoming talks in Bangkok and beyond open the doors to the people and the science that will actually solve this crisis. 🌍✊
https://www.renewablematter.eu/en/plastic-treaty-civil-society-science-excluded-from-nairobi-talks

Plastic treaty: civil society and science excluded from Nairobi talks The first in-person meeting of heads of delegation organised by the new INC President, Julio Cordano, has ended amid serious doubts about the transparency of the ongoing process

Why We Show Up Everyday: Rooted in the Moana, Driven by Hope

Some days in environmental consulting are undeniably heavy. When looking at data on escalating plastic pollution, warming waters, and the mounting pressure on our oceans, it can feel like an uphill battle.

But on the days when the work feels hardest, we look to the voice of the communities we serve.

We are deeply inspired by Tongan storyteller Mia Kami’s powerful performance at the Our Ocean Palau Conference in 2025. As she beautifully reminds us, the moana isn't just water—it is ancestry, culture, and life. To fail to protect it is to fail the people who call it home.

That is why we at WREN show up every single day. Even when the logistics are tough and the challenges are complex, we refuse to sit quietly. We do this work because we believe in the power of resilience, scientific rigor, and community-led solutions to drive real change.

The road isn't easy, but the future generations we are fighting for are worth every bit of the effort. 🌊✨

Our Ocean Palau - Mia Kami Mia Kami, a Tongan singer/songwriter based in Suva, Fiji, performs ...

🏆 Small Team, Big Impact: Reflecting on WREN’s Recognition in Belize

​Looking back at our milestones for the first half of 2026, we are still incredibly proud of a major highlight from February: WREN was recognized with a Certificate of Commendation at the UK-Belize Climate & Nature Legacy Awards!

​As a small organization, being celebrated on an international stage by the Ocean Country Partnership Programme (OCPP) means the world to us. It proves that you don't need a massive footprint to drive meaningful environmental change.

​This award reflects the dedication, expertise, and passion of our close-knit team and local partners. The impactful work we delivered under the OCPP to protect Belize’s unique marine ecosystems is a testament to what a small, focused group can achieve when backed by deep commitment.

​A few months may have passed, but our momentum hasn't slowed. Thank you to the OCPP and everyone championing Belize's ocean future—we might be small, but our commitment to safeguarding these vital natural legacies is bigger than ever. 🌊🇧🇿

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Happy (belated) 2nd Birthday to the Belize Recyclers and Waste Management Association 🎂🎉

What an incredible milestone. Getting an association off the ground is never easy, especially when tackling something as massive and complex as plastic pollution and waste management. It is so inspiring to see the success of the Samoa Recycling & Waste Management Association - SRWMA serve as a blueprint, proving that true South-South partnership and knowledge-sharing can create waves of real change across the globe.

A huge shoutout to S Uitime, and Rina Tuigamala Sua, who supported Waste Recycling Environment Network - WREN in setting up BRWMA as part of the UK funded OCPP program. Your guidance is helping turn the tide on ocean plastic.

Every new organization faces growing pains, but the foundation you've built is vital. Here’s to overcoming those initial hurdles and kicking some major goals for Belize’s environment in the years ahead! 🌊

🎖️ Huge Congratulations to Gerry Gillespie, AM! 🌿

We are incredibly proud to celebrate our very own Gerry Gillespie, who was awarded Member of the Order of Australia (AM) this year for his "significant service to conservation, to organic waste management, and to the community."

Gerry has been absolutely instrumental in helping WREN establish community composting in Samoa. From generously supporting community education and setting up infrastructure to training local farmers, his impact is profound. On top of that, WREN’s young workforce has benefited immensely from Gerry’s mentorship over the last few years.

Want to check out his incredible work?
📖 Read his book: The Waste Between Your Ears
🌐 Visit his website: gerrygillespie.net

If you want to learn more about the SPICE composting process or our ongoing work in Samoa, we are always happy to chat.

A massive, well-deserved win for one of the good guys! 🥂

recycling environment network - WREN
Autalavou Efks Maugafiafia Enna Mavaega Faimasasa Sipaia Fetu

Every day is World Oceans Day at Waste Recycling Environment Network - WREN . Our team spent last weekend collecting, removing and sorting more than 150kgs of rubbish from a beach site in Puapua, Savaii funded by the SWAP project.

The results are a massive eye-opener for our community. While we often hear about plastic bottles and food wrappers dominating beach pollution, this audit revealed a shifting tide: more than 75% of the total waste collected by weight was made up of textiles and fishing nets.

Out of all the debris audited by citizen scientists on the sand, clothing, towels, linens, textiles and fishing nets dominated.

🧵 Why are textiles taking over?
This isn’t just a local disposal issue—it is directly tied to the global surge in fast fashion and synthetic fabric production.

The Rise of Synthetics: Most modern clothing is no longer just cotton or wool. It's made from cheap, plastic-based synthetic fibers like polyester, nylon, and acrylic.

Built to Last (In a Bad Way): When these fabrics are discarded or lost at sea, they don't break down naturally. Instead, they behave exactly like plastic bottles—tangling in our coral reefs, washing up on our beautiful coastline, and slowly fragmenting into microfibers that choke our marine life.

Combined with abandoned fishing nets (ghost nets), these heavy textile materials pose a severe threat to Samoa’s marine ecosystems, coastal beauty, and local fisheries.

🇼🇸 What can we do?
This data proves that our fight against marine pollution has to expand beyond single-use plastics. We need to rethink our relationship with clothing and textiles:

Buy less, buy better: Choose natural fibers (like cotton, linen, or wool) over synthetics where possible.

Repurpose & Repair: Turn old clothes into rags, or donate items that still have life in them rather than throwing them away.

Keep Supporting Citizen Science: Huge fa'afetai to the volunteers and data collectors keeping our beaches clean and proving what’s actually out there through programs like Litter Intelligence.

Knowledge is power. Let’s protect our beautiful Savai'i. 💙🌴
Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment Samoa France in Samoa - La France aux Samoa Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme - SPREP

Our Caribbean Regional Manager represented WREN at LATINOSAN, the leading regional forum on sanitation, waste, and hygiene in Latin Amercia and the Caribbean, held this year in the Dominican Republic.

During the forum, she presented on Waste Recycling Environment Network - WREN's IDB Lab-selected project under the Sargassum Innovation Quest, highlighting the SPICE process as a sustainable approach to waste management in Belize, with a particular focus on sargassum.

LATINOSAN brings together government leaders, development partners, utilities, academics, and civil society every three years to shape policy and advance solutions for safe water and sanitation across the region. Being part of that conversation reflects WREN's commitment to driving innovation and regional collaboration in sustainable waste management.

We look forward to building on these connections and continuing to advance meaningful solutions for our communities.

Good data leads to good decision making. We are excited to be trained and ready to start undertaking monitoring and support the guardianship of Samoa's coastlines against pollution. Thanks France in Samoa - La France aux Samoa and Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment Samoa .