As 2025 begins, the Pacific Recycling Foundation (PRF) is calling for a united effort to build on the achievements of 2024 and to eliminate the obstacles that impede effective and sustainable waste management. Amitesh Deo, the foundation’s founder, emphasizes that while notable progress has been made, the mission is not yet complete. He expresses hope that this year can lead to substantial, lasting change through widespread collaboration across various sectors.
Deo encourages stakeholders to transform the milestones reached in 2024 into sustainable and scalable waste management solutions that involve every community and address the root causes of the waste crisis. Last year was pivotal, witnessing the formation of the Pacific Recyclers Alliance, which aims to enhance regional cooperation in tackling collective waste management challenges.
Additionally, PRF gained significant recognition for the concept of ‘Collection Pillars of Recycling,’ which highlighted the important yet often overlooked contributions of informal recyclable collectors. The foundation also made headway in expanding recycling efforts to Fiji’s outer islands and initiated a pioneering soft plastics recycling project. The successful integration of CPR (Community Recovery Program) into formal employment through the ‘I Recycle’ program reflects the foundation’s commitment to sustainable practices.
With the ‘I Recycle’ program now adopted by over 20 organizations and communities, PRF’s entrepreneurial branch, Waste Recyclers Fiji Limited, has engaged more than 60 diverse entities—including financial institutions, educational establishments, informal communities, and sectors like tourism and manufacturing—redirecting recyclables away from landfills and dumpsites. In 2024 alone, their efforts successfully diverted nearly 5 million kilograms of recyclables from landfills, marking a meaningful shift in waste management attitudes.
Despite celebrating these accomplishments, Deo stresses the ongoing challenges, particularly in under-resourced areas. As the focus shifts to 2025, he urges expanded initiatives that depart from outdated waste management tactics, ensuring that solutions are inclusive and sustainable for all.
Deo calls on the government to pursue bold, transformative actions in waste management, advocating for long-term collaborations with PRF rather than quick fixes. He underscores the urgent need for decisive action in addressing the waste crisis.
Furthermore, he implores businesses to go beyond mere corporate responsibility and adopt genuine, impactful sustainability practices. Corporate accountability for environmental impact is key to fostering systemic change that ensures a sustainable future for everyone.
In a world increasingly aware of environmental issues, the Pacific Recycling Foundation’s drive for change sets a hopeful tone. By fostering collaboration and encouraging authentic commitment from all sectors of society, there is an optimistic outlook for enhancing waste management practices and nurturing a more sustainable future.
This article highlights the Foundation’s efforts and the call for collective action, underscoring the importance of community involvement in achieving environmental sustainability.
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