RETURN and Earn Fiji, a not-for-profit organization, is set to launch a nationwide initiative aimed at enhancing beverage container recycling across the country. Scheduled to begin by mid-2026, this project will create a cohesive collection system for PET bottles and aluminum cans, unifying the efforts of eight beverage companies. Participants will receive five cents for every container returned, regardless of brand.
According to Return and Earn Fiji spokesperson Dwain Qalovaki, the program plans to establish at least fifty buy-back collection sites in partnership with local communities, governmental bodies, and non-governmental organizations. The collected materials will be taken to processing facilities on Viti Levu and Vanua Levu before being shipped to certified recyclers abroad.
Mr. Qalovaki emphasized that the system welcomes beverage containers from all brands, facilitating consumer participation in this eco-friendly initiative. Furthermore, Return and Earn Fiji will periodically publish reports detailing the impact of the collection and recycling efforts, thus reinforcing its commitment to environmental stewardship.
This initiative is funded by contributions from prominent companies in the beverage sector, including Carpenters (Fiji) Pte Ltd, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (Fiji) Ltd, and several others. The project also encourages other beverage companies operating in Fiji to join its efforts.
The establishment of the Return and Earn Fiji initiative aligns with ongoing discussions about enhancing Fiji’s recycling framework. Just recently, the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change reignited dialogue with various stakeholders on the potential reintroduction of container deposit regulations, which aims to reduce plastic pollution further. This regulatory framework could provide a more robust foundation for sustainable waste management practices in Fiji.
Overall, initiatives like Return and Earn Fiji signal a hopeful shift towards greater community engagement in recycling efforts, encouraging responsible waste management and fostering an environmentally friendly culture across the nation.
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