Fiji’s mounting waste challenge has drawn renewed attention as the Pacific Recycling Foundation (PRF) highlights data showing waste generation is rising seven times faster than the country’s population growth. Recent Fiji Bureau of Statistics data, cited by FBC News on August 24, show waste increased by 17.5 percent between 2013 and 2023, while population growth rose only 2.4 percent, a discrepancy PRF says lies at the heart of Fiji’s waste management crisis.
PRF Founder and Operations Director Amitesh Deo warns that this gap reflects deeper issues beyond infrastructure. He points to mindsets and behaviors, a lack of accountability and transparency, policies that don’t align with local realities, and corporate practices that prioritize self-interest over real solutions. “It is a reflection of how little we have done to change behaviours, consumption patterns, and accountability at every level of our society. Until we address this, no landfill and no single-sided industry solution will fix the problem,” Deo said. He further stressed that Fiji urgently needs accountability, transparency, and a comprehensive waste management strategy that centers on mindset and behavior change across all levels of society, not just technical fixes.
A key takeaway from PRF’s ongoing work is that recycling must be led by recyclers, not treated as a branding exercise. Deo warned that industry players that use waste management as a public relations effort without real reform will leave the root causes unaddressed. The foundation argues for inclusive, coordinated, ground-up solutions that reflect the lived experiences of grassroots communities.
In terms of progress, PRF and its entrepreneurial arm, Waste Recyclers Fiji Limited, report they have diverted about 2,670 tonnes of recyclables from the Naboro landfill and other dumpsites from January of this year onward. This figure underscores continued momentum, even as the broader crisis persists.
The broader context shows a country actively testing and expanding its recycling footprint. Earlier milestones highlighted by PRF include efforts to push a sustainable recycling culture across communities, expand initiatives to Fiji’s outer islands, and launch programs to formalize recycling work. The foundation has emphasized that more than 60 organizations across sectors—finance, education, tourism, manufacturing, and others—are engaged in the waste management push, with the “I Recycle” program moving community recyclers toward formal employment and recognition. Additionally, the Pacific Recyclers Alliance and the “Collection Pillars of Recycling” framework have helped elevate the profile of informal recyclers and foster regional collaboration.
Background figures from recent years show the scale of Fiji’s waste challenge and the infrastructure in place. A large share of waste—about 80 percent—goes to the Naboro sanitary landfill, which processes roughly 184 tonnes daily for the central island region. In the broader market, specialists estimate tens of thousands of tonnes of plastics circulate on the economy, with plastics used heavily in packaging. Efforts with partners like ANZPAC aim to develop sustainable recycling models that involve both businesses and consumers, reinforcing the message that meaningful change requires systemic change and broad participation.
Despite the hurdles, there is a sense of cautious optimism. The achievements of 2024—nearly five million kilograms (roughly 4,800 to 4,837 tonnes) diverted from dumpsites and landfills—are cited as a foundation for future progress. The collaboration between PRF and Waste Recyclers Fiji Limited, along with government and community engagement, is framed as a blueprint for scalable, lasting change rather than short-term wins. Deo’s call remains clear: beyond symbolic actions, genuine corporate accountability and long-term partnerships with PRF are essential to move Fiji toward a cleaner, more sustainable waste management system.
What to watch going forward
– The focus will be on scaling up successful pilots and expanding recycling programs to underserved areas and outer islands.
– Increased formalization and recognition of informal recyclers through initiatives like the “I Recycle” program and the Collection Pillars of Recycling.
– Deeper government and business engagement to implement transformative waste-management strategies that address root causes rather than quick fixes.
Summary
Fiji faced a warning from data showing waste growing far faster than its population, prompting calls for accountability, transparency, and a holistic approach to waste management. PRF’s ongoing collaborations and concrete recycling outcomes demonstrate progress, but the path ahead requires broad-based, sustained commitment from government, industry, and communities to turn momentum into durable change.
Insights
– The tension between public-facing campaigns and actual processing of collected waste remains a critical challenge; ensuring proper downstream processing is essential to avoid simply moving waste from sight to landfill.
– Building a scalable, inclusive recycling economy hinges on reinforcing local leadership and ensuring that communities, rather than just brands, are at the center of policy and implementation.
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