Solid and Hazardous Waste Act (No. 4 of 2025).

This Act lays down provisions for the purposes of: (i) establishing rules for the responsible disposal of different types of waste; (ii) promoting waste collection in the Cook Islands; (iii) providing for the establishment and operation of waste facilities for waste disposal; (iv) prohibiting or controlling the importation of certain articles and substances that are, or that generate, unwanted waste; (v) establishing a scheme for importers of prescribed goods to pay an advance recovery and disposal fee; (vi) prohibiting retailers from supplying plastic shopping bags; (vii) ensuring the compliance with relevant international conventions regarding the disposal of solid and hazardous waste; (viii) creating appropriate mechanisms for enforcement. Prohibited articles and substances that are, or that generate, unnecessary waste or waste that is difficult to dispose of in the Cook Islands, are listed in Schedule 1. Minor offences and fines are laid down in Schedule 2.
Part 3 sets out rules on the collection and disposal of domestic waste, recyclable waste, bulky waste, building or demolition waste, organic waste, hazardous waste, plastic waste and tyres; the designation or approval of waste disposal areas; requirement to obtain permit to operate waste facility and inspection of waste facilities; the conditions for depositing waste; and waste disposal in a responsible manner. Part 4 addresses the control of litter in public and private places, the power of the enforcement officer to serve a notice, appeals against notices, and offences relating to litter.
Part 5 deals with commercial waste collection services to ensure the safe and secure collection, transportation and disposal of waste generated by the general public and businesses at a waste facility by the commercial operators. It determines the responsibilities of commercial operators and persons who use commercial waste collection services. Part 6 requires any person who imports goods to pay to the Customs the amount set out in Schedule 3 as an advance recovery and disposal fee for any item listed in that schedule. Part 7 prohibits the retailers to supply plastic shopping bags for the purpose of distributing goods sold by them in the Cook Islands. However, it allows for plastic shopping bags to be supplied to retail customers.