The Pacific Recycling Foundation (PRF) is urging faith-based organizations throughout Fiji to take a more proactive stance in promoting recycling and responsible waste management. The organization’s founder, Amitesh Deo, emphasized the significant influence that religious institutions have in shaping societal values and behaviors, making them ideal advocates for environmental change.
Deo remarked on the unique position of faith-based organizations, stating, “They shape values, guide behavior, and unite communities. When responsible waste management is practiced in these spaces, it becomes a moral and community-driven action rather than just a technical solution.” He highlighted that religious gatherings, which often bring together large groups of people, provide an opportunity to model effective waste management practices and encourage environmental stewardship.
The call for action comes with a recognition that waste management transcends environmental issues — it is integral to national development, with substantial implications for public health, tourism, and overall climate resilience. “Waste management should no longer be treated as a secondary issue,” Deo asserted. He noted that all community members, including those in faith groups, have a role to play in addressing this pressing matter.
A notable achievement was the launch of Phase 2 of the Circular Pacific Plastics (CPP) Project at St Pius X Parish in Raiwaqa, Suva. This event underscored how faith-based spaces can spearhead recycling education and structured plastic recovery efforts. “The launch at St Pius X Parish shows that religious institutions can lead by example and become platforms for advocacy, education, and long-term behavior change,” Deo stated.
PRF plans to expand its engagement with various faith-based organizations and intends to organize a VAKA Forum for religious leaders. This forum aims to promote dialogue and actionable steps toward recycling and environmental stewardship. While the emphasis is placed on faith communities, PRF stresses that the responsibility for sustainable waste management extends to all large public gatherings, including sporting events, cultural festivals, and community activities, reinforcing the idea that waste management requires a unified, national effort.
In a hopeful perspective, the proactive involvement of faith-based organizations in promoting environmental responsibility not only addresses urgent waste management issues but also enhances community bonds through shared values and collective action towards sustainability.
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