Only 0.2% of Fiji’s total waste is currently recycled, a statistic confirmed by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Professor Biman Prasad, during a recent parliamentary session. He emphasized the need for improved waste management strategies, noting that the National Development Plan (NDP) addresses these challenges through dedicated sections focusing on key performance indicators (KPIs), policies, and strategies for solid waste management.
Professor Prasad stated that Fiji is facing a significant solid waste management issue, which is complicating economic activity and altering consumption patterns, particularly in rural areas. He highlighted that products which were previously unused are now being utilized, leading to various activities that generate substantial amounts of solid waste, particularly with increasing urbanization and informal settlements.
The NDP projects that municipal councils will manage approximately 182,000 tonnes of waste nationwide, with ambitious goals to increase this figure to 250,000 tonnes by 2027 and 350,000 tonnes by 2029. The government is focusing on boosting recycling capabilities to meet these targets, including plans to develop recycling plants in both the Western and Northern divisions.
Addressing immediate concerns, Professor Prasad noted the serious waste management issues in Nadi and indicated that many rural residents often transport their waste to urban areas in hopes that city councils will handle the disposal, which complicates urban waste management efforts. He pointed out that diapers are among the most frequently disposed items originating from rural settlements.