Currently, only 0.2 percent of total waste in Fiji is recycled, a statistic recently shared by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Professor Biman Prasad, in Parliament. He emphasized the urgent need for improved waste management strategies and highlighted that the National Development Plan (NDP) addresses these issues with specific subchapters focused on solid waste management, key performance indicators, policies, and strategies.
Professor Prasad pointed out that Fiji is facing a significant solid waste management challenge, which is exacerbated by increasing economic activity and changing consumption patterns, even in rural areas. He explained how consumption behaviors have evolved, leading to the use of more products and consequently generating more solid waste, particularly due to the rise of urbanization and informal settlements.
The NDP anticipates that municipal councils will be responsible for collecting and disposing of approximately 182,000 tonnes of waste across the nation. The plan sets ambitious targets to increase this amount to 250,000 tonnes by 2027 and to 350,000 tonnes by 2029. To achieve these objectives, the government is focused on enhancing recycling capabilities, including the establishment of recycling plants in the Western and Northern divisions.
Professor Prasad noted that these are immediate, short-term goals for solid waste management and expressed concern specifically regarding Nadi. He also highlighted an ongoing issue where many people from rural areas transport their waste to urban centers, expecting city councils to manage its disposal, contributing to the municipal waste management challenges. He mentioned that diapers are one of the commonly disposed items from rural communities.