As we enter 2025, the Pacific Recycling Foundation (PRF) is calling for united efforts to build on the progress achieved in 2024 and to dismantle the barriers that impede effective and sustainable waste management.
According to founder Amitesh Deo, while the PRF, alongside its partners, has made substantial advancements in addressing Fiji’s waste management issues, there is still a long way to go. Deo emphasized that this year should be dedicated to achieving meaningful transformation through collaborative efforts across all sectors. He stated, “Let this be the year we break barriers and achieve lasting transformation. The accomplishments of 2024 were important steps forward, but now is the time to turn these milestones into sustainable, scalable solutions that include every community and address the underlying issues that perpetuate the waste management crisis.”
In 2024, the establishment of the Pacific Recyclers Alliance marked a pivotal moment in promoting regional cooperation to tackle common waste management challenges. The introduction of terms like ‘Collection Pillars of Recycling’ in regional discourse has also elevated the status of informal recyclers, giving them the recognition they deserve.
The Foundation achieved notable successes in extending its recycling initiatives to Fiji’s outer islands, launching an innovative soft plastics recycling project, and successfully transitioning informal collectors to formal employment through their ‘I Recycle’ program. This program has now attracted more than 20 organizations and communities.
With the support of PRF’s entrepreneurial initiative, Waste Recyclers Fiji Limited, more than 60 organizations from diverse sectors—including finance, education, informal marketplaces, corporate businesses, and industries like tourism and telecommunications—are actively diverting recyclables from landfills. In 2024 alone, PRF’s recycling efforts helped divert approximately 4,837 tonnes of recyclables (nearly 5 million kilograms) from dumpsites and the Naboro landfill.
Despite these achievements, Deo underscored that these strides are only the beginning. He noted, “While we celebrate our progress, we must remain focused on the gaps that still exist, particularly in underserved areas. The real challenge in 2025 lies in expanding these efforts, shifting away from outdated waste management practices, and ensuring that the waste management solutions we develop are inclusive and sustainable.”
Deo urged the Government to take bold and transformative action in waste management and asked policymakers to prioritize long-term partnerships with PRF rather than rely on temporary solutions. He stated, “This is not the time for half-measures—the waste management crisis demands that we act decisively.”
In addition, he appealed to businesses to go beyond token sustainability efforts and invest in genuine, long-term solutions. “Corporate responsibility is not just about fulfilling a duty but ensuring a sustainable future for all. Businesses must be accountable for their environmental impact and play an active role in driving systemic change,” he concluded.
In summary, as the Pacific Recycling Foundation looks ahead to 2025, there is a strong message of hope and determination for a united approach to addressing waste management challenges through collaboration, innovation, and responsible corporate practices. The progress made in 2024 serves as a foundation for a comprehensive strategy that prioritizes sustainability and inclusivity, highlighting the vital role that collective action will play in fostering a cleaner, greener future.
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