As we approach 2025, the Pacific Recycling Foundation (PRF) emphasizes the need for collective efforts to continue improving sustainable waste management practices established in 2024. Amitesh Deo, the founder of PRF, highlights that while there have been significant advancements in addressing Fiji’s waste management issues, there is still much work to be done.
Mr. Deo asserts that 2025 should mark a year of meaningful change, driven by genuine collaboration across sectors. He encourages stakeholders to convert the achievements of 2024 into sustainable, scalable solutions that engage all communities and address the root causes of the ongoing waste management crisis.
In 2024, PRF introduced important initiatives, including the Pacific Recyclers Alliance, which fosters regional cooperation to confront shared waste management challenges. The foundation also helped to raise awareness of informal recyclables collectors through the term “collection pillars of recycling,” giving them more recognition and dignity.
Moreover, PRF expanded its recycling efforts beyond Fiji’s main islands, rolling out an innovative soft plastics recycling project and successfully integrating CPR into formal employment through the “I Recycle” program. This initiative gained traction with more than 20 participating organizations and communities, successfully diverting nearly 4,837 tonnes of recyclables from landfills in 2024.
Despite these achievements, Mr. Deo cautions that there are still significant gaps, particularly in underserved areas, which must be addressed. He stresses that the primary challenge for 2025 is to scale these recycling efforts and transition away from outdated waste management techniques, ensuring that solutions are inclusive and sustainable.
Mr. Deo calls on the government to take bold, transformative measures in addressing waste management. He urges policymakers to prioritize long-term strategies in partnership with PRF rather than opting for temporary fixes and underscores the importance of corporate accountability in driving systemic change through meaningful commitments to sustainability.
This message of hope and action serves as a reminder that with concerted collaboration and commitment, sustainable solutions to waste management challenges can be achieved, paving the way for a cleaner, healthier environment for all communities.
In summary, as we step into the new year, the call for unity and decisive action by the Pacific Recycling Foundation signals a positive movement toward a more sustainable approach to waste management in Fiji. With continued dedication from government, businesses, and communities, there is potential for significant progress in creating a sustainable future.
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