The Collection Pillars of Recycling (CPR) has gained recognition in regional discussions, according to Amitesh Deo, founder of the Pacific Recycling Foundation and secretary of the Pacific Recyclers Alliance. CPR refers to individuals engaged in the collection of recyclable materials.
Deo shared that the fourth Clean Pacific Round Table (CPRT), organized by the South Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) in Tuvalu, highlighted important outcomes and advancements made in grassroots recycling initiatives, particularly emphasizing the empowerment of Collection Pillars of Recycling.
The outcomes of the CPRT included the acknowledgment of the Pacific Recyclers Alliance’s establishment, which aims to unify the six existing national recyclers associations to streamline waste management and pollution control efforts throughout the Pacific region.
Deo noted that these outcomes enhance the recognition of the role played by the Collection Pillars of Recycling in member states and encouraged Pacific island nations and territories to form national recyclers associations while expanding their membership and representation within the Pacific Recyclers Alliance.
Expressing excitement about the alliance’s achievements, Deo stated, “Our voices are finally being heard.” He called the support for the Collection Pillars of Recycling recognized in the CPRT outcomes a significant victory for the many individuals involved in recycling across Fiji and other Pacific nations.
Notably, the term “Collection Pillars of Recycling” was initially created by a group of women in Vunato, Lautoka, formerly known as waste pickers, marking a significant moment where a term coined by informal collectors entered high-level policy discussions, highlighting their essential role in developing sustainable waste management strategies across the Pacific.