As we step into 2025, the Pacific Recycling Foundation (PRF) is calling for united efforts to enhance the progress achieved in 2024 and to address the persistent challenges in sustainable waste management. Founder Amitesh Deo emphasized that while significant gains have been made, the path forward requires collective and collaborative action across various sectors.

Deo stated, “Let this be the year we break barriers and achieve lasting transformation. The accomplishments of 2024 were important steps forward, but now it’s crucial to transform these milestones into sustainable, scalable solutions that embrace every community and tackle the root causes of the waste management crisis.”

In 2024, PRF successfully established the Pacific Recyclers Alliance, promoting regional collaboration to tackle common recycling issues. The recognition of the term ‘Collection Pillars of Recycling’ has helped highlight the role of informal collectors in the recycling sector, providing them with the acknowledgment they deserve.

Significantly, PRF has expanded its recycling initiatives to Fiji’s outer islands, initiated an innovative soft plastics recycling project, and facilitated the transition of informal collectors to formal employment through the ‘I Recycle’ program. This program has gained traction, now involving over 20 organizations and communities.

Combining efforts with Waste Recyclers Fiji Limited, PRF is collaborating with more than 60 organizations from diverse sectors, including education, finance, and tourism, to divert recyclables from landfills. In 2024 alone, these initiatives successfully redirected nearly 4,837 tonnes of recyclables, showcasing a substantial move towards effective waste management practices.

Despite celebrating these accomplishments, Deo stressed the importance of addressing existing gaps, particularly in underserved communities. He urged that 2025 should focus on expanding these efforts and moving away from outdated waste management practices toward inclusive and sustainable solutions.

Deo called for concerted action from the government to prioritize lasting, transformative waste management strategies and move away from short-term fixes. He also encouraged businesses to look beyond surface-level sustainability efforts, advocating for accountability regarding their environmental impact and active participation in driving systemic change.

This commitment to improvement and sustainability offers hope for a greener future, highlighting that with ongoing collaboration and innovation, tangible progress can continue to be made in the crucial area of waste management.

In summary, the Pacific Recycling Foundation’s push for collective action and deeper engagement from all sectors sets the stage for a transformative year, aiming to create a culture of sustainability that can benefit communities throughout Fiji.