Eight beverage companies in Fiji are joining forces in a groundbreaking public-private partnership (PPP) with the Ministry of Local Government, pledging an initial investment of $800,000 to launch Return & Earn Fiji centres across all 13 towns and cities in the nation. This initiative aims to create opportunities for residents to earn income while simultaneously promoting environmental conservation.
Beginning January 1, 2026, the program will allow residents to return all brands of beverage containers, including plastic bottles and aluminum cans, to designated Return & Earn Fiji centres, where they will receive five cents for each container returned.
Maciu Nalumisa, the Minister for Housing and Local Government, emphasized that this partnership exemplifies the collaboration between policy and actionable change. He noted that the initiative is expected to divert hundreds of thousands of containers from streets, waterways, and landfills, transforming waste into income for households and community groups. Nalumisa encourages all members of the community, including schools and businesses, to seize this opportunity.
The initiative is spearheaded by Return & Earn Fiji, a not-for-profit organization comprising key beverage industry players, including Carpenters (Fiji) Pte Ltd, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (Fiji) Ltd, Eddie Hin Beverages Pte Ltd, Frezco Beverages Pte Ltd, Motibhai & Company Ltd, FIJI Water, Pacific Island Beverages Pte Ltd, and Pleass Global Ltd. Return & Earn Fiji representative, Dwain Qalovaki, confirmed that the eight companies are contributing not only financially but also providing trained staff, processing equipment, and logistic support, with annual contributions projected to exceed $1 million starting from 2026.
The program builds on the success of a pilot project conducted by Sigatoka Town Council, where 184,000 beverage containers were collected, leading to over $9,000 being paid out to participants, including youths, retirees, and community organizations.
To facilitate the program, Return & Earn Fiji will establish two operational warehouses in Suva and Lautoka, outfitted with granulators for plastic processing and balers for aluminum containers. The processed materials will be exported to accredited recyclers overseas, aided by a partnership with Swire Shipping, which provides sea freight services at no cost.
The process is straightforward: participants collect their empty beverage containers, bring them to a Return & Earn Fiji centre, and receive five cents for each container returned. Municipal councils will manage these centres and coordinate the transfer of collected containers to the Return & Earn Fiji warehouses for processing and export.
This initiative not only addresses environmental issues but also aims to bolster local economies, making it a significant step towards sustainability and community empowerment in Fiji.
Leave a comment