Sumana, a proud member of the Gizo community, is leading a remarkable transformation for the island’s waste management and conservation efforts. Gizo, known for its exceptional reefs and rich cultural heritage, is one of the Solomon Islands’ most stunning but fragile environments. It’s a place where the natural beauty is inseparable from the way of life, with the ocean serving as both a source of sustenance and a deeply rooted part of the local identity. As the local representative for Positive Change for Marine Life, Sumana works tirelessly to reduce the impact of waste on these precious marine and coastal ecosystems.
Known on the island as “Waste Woman” due to her unwavering dedication, Sumana has built a grassroots recycling and waste management initiative from the ground up, with a mission to empower Gizo’s residents to take control of their waste and prevent it from polluting the ocean. Waste management on Gizo is a uniquely complex challenge—high transport costs and limited infrastructure mean that most waste can’t be shipped off the island, often leading to piles of trash accumulating on land or washing into the sea. Every Thursday, Sumana leads a team of 20 staff across key districts to collect sorted plastics from homes, bringing them to a small facility where waste is weighed, sorted, and either stored or repurposed. Through creative efforts, including transforming plastics into crafts and experimenting with building materials, Sumana’s work with Positive Change for Marine Life focuses on preserving Gizo’s natural beauty and creating sustainable solutions for the community.
For Sumana, waste management is far more than just a cleanup—it’s a way to educate and empower her community through regular, collective action. She wants to get people—especially the next generation—involved in the island’s conservation efforts, highlighting the link between environmental health and the cultural values that define life on Gizo. Her work with Positive Change for Marine Life is a testament to how local action, no matter how small, can drive real change needed to futureproof the planet. By setting up practical systems, collaborating with local artisans, and championing forward-thinking ideas, Sumana is laying the foundation for a sustainable community that protects the ocean her family and friends depend on.
Her dedication and resilience have become quite symbolic on the island of Gizo, representing a hopeful next chapter. For Sumana, this collective spirit found with the other women volunteering their time to the cause, is a powerful reminder that preserving Gizo’s natural resources is possible when everyone contributes, no matter the size of the task.
