Fiji is making significant strides in enhancing its waste management system, with a focus on addressing illegal dumping and improving recycling infrastructure. The government is currently in the process of finalizing the Container Deposit Regulation (CDR), which aims to establish collection points nationwide for various recyclables, such as e-waste and green waste. This initiative is expected to bolster recycling efforts and effectively reduce waste across the country.
Dr. Sivendra Michael, the Permanent Secretary for Environment and Climate Change, noted that the CDR was initially endorsed by the Cabinet in 2012 but was put on hold due to insufficient consultation with industry stakeholders. The ministry is working diligently to have the regulation finalized by October 2025, with a draft already underway. Dr. Michael elaborated on the benefits of CDR, stating, “What the container deposit regulation would do is allow collection points throughout the country where people can take their recyclables, and that can be scaled to different types of waste like e-waste, green waste, and moving into other types of waste that we can use for energy products or substitutes like tires and so forth.”
Furthermore, Dr. Michael emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring that the new Western Landfill differs from the previously problematic Naboro Landfill. This includes implementing waste sorting at the source and creating infrastructure that ensures only waste that cannot be managed elsewhere ultimately ends up in landfills.
In conjunction with these initiatives, collaborative efforts within the community and among businesses and policymakers are being reinforced. Recent events such as the Global Recycling Day have highlighted the urgency of improving recycling practices in Fiji. Trade Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica has called for immediate action from all sectors, emphasizing the transition of recycling from an option to a necessity as environmental challenges escalate due to urbanization and consumerism.
Despite previous setbacks, the renewed focus on these regulations and community-driven initiatives offers a hopeful outlook for the future. By promoting environmental stewardship and enhancing public awareness, Fiji is well-positioned to cultivate a cleaner, more sustainable environment that will benefit both current residents and future generations. The collective actions being implemented signal a robust commitment toward achieving a sustainable waste management system in the country.
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