Albert Park in Suva faced a significant cleanup challenge after the New Year celebrations, which attracted a large crowd. Despite the efforts of the Suva City Council (SCC) to manage waste during the festivities, the park was left with litter scattered across the area the following morning.

Food and drink stalls set up along Constitution Avenue served attendees, but the aftermath included a myriad of plastic bags, bottles, and other debris. The SCC had anticipated the volume of waste generated by such a large gathering and had provided additional waste bins to encourage proper disposal. Unfortunately, many revelers opted to leave their rubbish behind instead of using the available bins.

A rubbish collector, returning to the park after working until 2 AM, expressed his frustration over the lack of cooperation from the public. Despite having bins set up throughout the park, most remained empty while the ground was covered in litter. In addition to the park, cleaners reported rubbish strewn across surrounding roads and sidewalks, raising concerns about potential drainage blockages during rain.

On a positive note, the cleaning crew made substantial progress by midday, with plans to have the park fully cleaned soon. The SCC remains committed to promoting responsible waste management and encourages the public to play their part in keeping the environment clean.

As we move into the New Year, there is hope that with increased awareness and community cooperation, we can prevent such littering in the future and ensure our public spaces remain beautiful for all to enjoy.