The Pacific Recycling Foundation (PRF), alongside Recycle Organics, has inaugurated a school-centered composting program at Nadi Sangam Primary School in Fiji. This initiative, named “From Waste to Climate Action: Scaling Sustainable Composting in Fijian Schools,” is financially supported by the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) and has the backing of the Ministry of Education. The program’s formal commencement was honored by the presence of the Minister for Education, Hon. Aseri Radrodro.
The project aims to roll out to nine additional schools in Nadi and Lautoka over the next six months. It will encompass the provision of composting bins and materials, training for both teachers and students, and the establishment of student-led composting centers. More than 2,500 students and staff members are anticipated to actively participate, with over 200 teachers being trained to spearhead composting activities. The long-term goal is for more than 10,000 community members to benefit indirectly as schools share sustainable waste practices beyond their parameters.
Amitesh Deo, Founder and Director of Operations at PRF, underscored the initiative’s significant potential for instigating meaningful behavioral change towards sustainability. He emphasized that starting this movement within schools can instill a culture of waste responsibility and climate action that can extend into households and communities across Fiji.
To ensure the practicality and scalability of the composting models, Recycle Organics will provide technical support, aligning these practices with international best standards. This follows their effective partnership with Fiji and other Small Island Developing States (SIDS) since 2023 to develop solutions that reduce methane emissions and strengthen circular economies.
Allison Bender-Corbett, Executive Director of the Center for Clean Air Policy, highlighted the critical role of education in driving environmental change, suggesting that empowering students and teachers can cultivate a generation that recognizes both waste as a resource and climate action as integral to daily life.
The CFLI expressed pride in supporting this project due to its potential contribution to a national sustainable composting strategy. The initiative builds on PRF’s earlier successful recycling program at Nadi Sangam Primary School, continuing its legacy of successful environmental projects. Data and results from this new initiative will be shared with the Ministry of Education for potential wider adoption and with regional partners to encourage similar efforts across the Pacific.
This project not only enriches Fiji’s educational landscape but also augments its commitment to sustainable environmental practices. With community and governmental backing, the initiative represents a positive and proactive step towards a future-driven by sustainability and climate consciousness.
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