The permanent secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Dr. Sivendra Michael, announced that the Government is set to review the Litters Act of 2008 and the Environmental Management Act to address plastic pollution in Fiji. During his address at the Fiji National Symposium on Plastic Pollution, Dr. Michael emphasized that implementing container deposit legislation will be crucial in reducing the irresponsible disposal of bottles, containers, and various plastic items.
He stated, “There are significant plans led by the Prime Minister to review the current legislation and introduce new regulations concerning the Litter’s Act.” Dr. Michael pointed out that the existing Litters Act 2008 lacks accompanying regulations and that efforts are needed to develop these further.
Additionally, he highlighted the ongoing initiatives under the Environmental Management Act, which governs waste and pollution control, including waste disposal and recycling permits. Dr. Michael noted that while these areas have some regulations, there is still room for improvement. Strengthening these regulations could include the introduction of container deposit regulations to better manage the flow of plastics entering the country.