Fiji expands TrashBoom waste interception program with $100,000 budget to install three more units
The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change has announced a further expansion of its TrashBoom program for the 2025–2026 national budget, allocating $100,000 to install three additional devices at key litter hotspots along the Suva–Nausori corridor and in Nadi. This follows the February 2025 Nabukalou Creek installation, which has already prevented more than 612 kilograms of waste from entering the water.
The TrashBoom is a floating barrier designed to intercept solid waste before it reaches rivers and the sea. The Nabukalou Creek deployment is part of ongoing collaborations involving Trash Boom Pacific, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Pacific Accelerator Lab, and the Suva City Council, among others. Early deployments have demonstrated the device’s impact, with reports of significant waste capture in the initial weeks of operation.
Under the announced expansion, three more TrashBooms will be placed along the Suva–Nausori corridor and in Nadi. The Ministry says the initiative aims to reduce health risks such as dengue fever and typhoid linked to water pollution, protect marine life from plastic waste, and prevent flooding caused by blocked drains. In addition to the new installations, the government is encouraging the public to dispose of rubbish responsibly to safeguard waterways and coastal ecosystems.
In a broader push, the government has allocated additional resources to strengthen waste management and enforcement. Reports indicate around $48,000 has been earmarked for enforcement of the Litter Act to tackle illegal dumping and littering more effectively, alongside other measures to boost community engagement and awareness of responsible waste disposal.
Context and outlook
The TrashBoom program fits into a wider set of environmental governance efforts in Fiji. The government has signaled a continued emphasis on rapid response capabilities, enhanced monitoring, and capacity-building, with discussions around broader regional engagement and environmental standards. Parallel initiatives have highlighted the need for better on-site waste interception, faster testing and enforcement, and stronger public participation in keeping waterways clean. Overall, the rollout of TrashBoom units—and related investments in labs, enforcement, and regional cooperation—suggests a hopeful trajectory toward healthier waters, cleaner coastlines, and more resilient communities.
Summary
Fiji is expanding its TrashBoom program with three new units funded by a $100,000 allocation for 2025–2026, building on the Nabukalou Creek success and targeting the Suva–Nausori corridor and Nadi. The initiative aims to reduce disease risks, protect marine life, and prevent flooding, while also stressing public responsibility in waste disposal. The broader policy context includes enforcement funding, ongoing environmental governance improvements, and collaborations that position Fiji for a more sustainable future.
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