The Naboro landfill has the capacity to operate for up to 60 more years under its current engineering design, according to landfill manager Mark Hirst-Tuilau. He urged the public to shift their perception that the landfill is nearing its capacity and is detrimental to the environment.
Hirst-Tuilau explained that while the landfill was initially designed for a lifespan of 50 years, advancements in waste density mean that it can now accommodate more waste in the same amount of space. He noted that the original design assumed a density of 900 kilograms per cubic meter, but current operations can achieve about 1.3 tonnes per cubic meter, resulting in over 50 percent more waste being contained within the same volume.
He likened the situation to filling a shed: the more waste that can be packed into it, the fewer new sheds need to be constructed. By maximizing the available space, the lifespan of the landfill can be extended significantly, potentially beyond 75 years. This would provide an additional 35 to 40 years before the need for new landfill sites arises.
Furthermore, Mr. Hirst-Tuilau mentioned that the government is in discussions with various stakeholders to explore the possibility of Fiji becoming a zero landfill country. While Fiji has not yet achieved this goal, efforts are underway to enhance recycling initiatives and reduce waste directed to landfills.
He emphasized that the waste currently stored could serve as an energy resource for future technologies, reinforcing that this waste should not simply be buried and forgotten. With advancing technology, there may be opportunities to repurpose the contents of older landfills, such as the former Lami dump, for energy generation, although he acknowledged that current technology and economic factors do not yet support this fully.