“The Government recognises the urgent need to combat waste, including marine waste, through various actions such as raising awareness, cleaning up beaches and coastal areas, and other initiatives to monitor, control, reduce and mitigate waste,” the government said in a statement.

The finance is for the Dili municipality, and the support is part of efforts to improve waste service coordination between the various ministries and public entities involved in sustainable work.

Despite regulations implemented by the government for citizens to dispose their waste, in Dili alone, more than half the population living there still throw rubbish int the river, sea, burn and bury it, according to data Sanitary Service of Dili Municipality.

The rubbish that is collected all ends up in landfill in Tibar, without any separation, processing, or formal recycling processes.