Nausori Town Council has initiated a new partnership aimed at tackling the increasing waste problem and enhancing recycling efforts throughout the municipality. In collaboration with Return & Earn Fiji, the council has established a dedicated container recovery system designed to minimize litter while fostering community engagement in recycling initiatives.
Rajesh Kumar, the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Nausori Town Council, announced that the Return and Earn center is conveniently located along Rambessesar Road in the Manoca Industrial Area. The center will operate on Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., providing an accessible opportunity for community members to participate in recycling.
With an ambitious goal of collecting at least one million beverage containers this year, Kumar highlighted the council’s plans to implement curbside collection from households. Additionally, collection drives are scheduled to take place in schools, communities, and during significant local festivals.
Return & Earn Fiji Representative Dwain Qalovaki indicated that families and community members would receive five cents for every beverage container they return to the Rambessesar Road center. This facility marks the first of its kind within the Nausori municipality and the larger Tebara area. Qalovaki emphasized that the center fits into a broader national strategy aiming to establish at least 50 collection sites across Fiji, each situated within a five-kilometer radius of densely populated regions.
Return & Earn Fiji operates as a not-for-profit organization that coordinates nationwide beverage container collection, effectively uniting eight beverage companies into a cohesive recycling system in partnership with municipal councils. Participating companies include prominent names such as Carpenters Fiji, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners Fiji, Fiji Water, and more.
This initiative is poised to significantly reduce landfill waste, elevate recycling rates, and cultivate a culture of long-term environmental responsibility within the Nausori community. The partnership not only addresses immediate waste concerns but also sets a strong foundation for sustainable practices in the future.
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