Pacific Recyclers Alliance registers as a legal entity in Fiji, uniting grassroots recycling groups across the Pacific
Grassroots recycling organisations across the Pacific now have a unified voice with the Pacific Recyclers Alliance officially registered as a legal entity in Fiji. The move signals a historic step toward formal recognition, support and fair treatment for recyclers throughout the region.
PRA President Amitesh Deo, also the founder of the Pacific Recycling Foundation, described the registration as a powerful leap forward for the sector. He noted that many groups and individuals had worked in isolation for decades, often facing neglect and a lack of recognition. The new legal status, he explained, ensures their voices are heard and officially legitimised.
The Alliance brings together groups from Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu. With its new status, the PRA aims to strengthen advocacy and mobilise partnerships with governments, development agencies, the private sector and academia, ultimately securing equitable treatment for grassroots recyclers. Deo highlighted the urgent need for climate-related finance and targeted investment to support those on the frontline of waste management and climate action. Partnerships are already underway with the University of New South Wales and the ANZPAC Plastics Pact, underscoring a broader regional push to scale up effective recycling and waste-management solutions.
The PRA Board of Trustees includes experts spanning health, law, academia and industry, with members such as Dr. Devina Nand, Patricia Parkinson, Dr. Yoko Kanemasu and Leigh Howard. The Alliance envisions transforming recycling from an informal struggle into a recognised, strategic sector that contributes to the Pacific’s circular economy.
Context and regional momentum
The registration follows a wave of regional momentum around grassroots recycling during the 4th Clean Pacific Round Table (CPRT) discussions in Tuvalu, organized by SPREP. Outcomes from that gathering emphasised uniting six National Recyclers Associations to enhance waste management and pollution control across the Pacific, while underscoring the important role of the Collection Pillars of Recycling—individuals who gather recyclables. The term Collection Pillars of Recycling, originally coined by a group of women in Vunato, Lautoka, has gained traction in regional policy discussions, reflecting the rising prominence of informal recyclers in shaping sustainable waste-management strategies.
This regional shift, visible in the CPRT conversations and ongoing advocacy, strengthens the outlook for PRA and its member organisations. It also signals potential for broader national chapters to form and participate in cross-country initiatives, aligning with the PRA’s goal of elevating grassroots recycling to a formal, strategic sector.
What this means going forward
– A unified Pacific voice can attract climate finance and targeted investments to support grassroots recyclers.
– Strengthened partnerships with governments, donors, private sector actors and research institutions can accelerate collection, recovery and upcycling programs.
– Formal recognition helps safeguard the rights and contributions of informal recyclers, while integrating them into regional waste-management planning.
– The PRA’s growth could pave the way for additional National Recyclers Associations across Pacific Island Nations, broadening membership and representation.
Summary
The Pacific Recyclers Alliance’s legal registration in Fiji marks a turning point for grassroots recycling in the Pacific. By uniting six nations, forging strategic partnerships, and calling for climate finance and policy recognition, the PRA is positioned to transform recycling into a recognized, sustainable pillar of the region’s circular economy.
Additional note
This development aligns with broader regional discussions around “Collection Pillars of Recycling” and the push to formalise and elevate informal recyclers within policy and planning processes, building momentum for systemic change across the Pacific.
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