20 organisations have been honoured by South Pacific Waste Recyclers for their efforts in keeping Fiji clean as the company celebrates 15 years of turning waste paper into valuable recycled products.
These organisations include Quality Print, Max Marketing, Star Printery, ANZ Bank, Westpac Bank, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Lands, BSP Bank, BSP Life, the Office of the Auditor-General, the Land Transport Authority, the Water Authority, LICI, Vinod Patel, Bank of Baroda, the Indian High Commission, Fiji National University and the University of the South Pacific.
Speaking during South Pacific Waste Recyclers', which is part of the CJS Group of Companies, 15th anniversary celebrations, Executive Director Namrata Charan Singh says the company has recycled more than 15 million kilograms of waste paper over the past 15 years, helping divert thousands of tonnes of waste from Fiji's landfills while producing locally made toilet tissue products.
She says the company currently recycles about 1,000 tonnes of waste paper each year, converting office paper, photocopy paper and other clean paper into toilet tissue under its Nambawan, Sunflower and Revive brands.
Singh says the company's recycling plant has the capacity to process up to 13.5 tonnes of paper a day, but is currently processing around six tonnes daily due to market demand.
She says every roll of recycled toilet tissue purchased helps reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill and supports Fiji's recycling industry.
Singh says the business was founded on the vision of her father Charan Jeet Singh, who saw the value in turning waste into a resource while helping protect Fiji's environment.
She says the company is encouraging more businesses to support recycling by allowing collection boxes to be placed at their workplaces, with waste paper collected free of charge.
Singh also acknowledged the company's long-serving employees and its distributor, Asha Bhai & Company, for helping make its products available across Fiji, including in remote communities.
The Executive Director also revealed that the company is also exploring opportunities to recycle plastics as part of its future expansion plans.
Meanwhile, Minister for Environment Lynda Tabuya says the government is looking to strengthen partnerships with the private sector to tackle Fiji’s growing waste management challenges, highlighting that regular rubbish collection for informal settlements and villages has become one of her key priorities.
Tabuya says the government cannot do this without partnering with the private sector, and they need to involve the private sector more in coming up with solutions for our country.
The Minister says there is still no national solution for regular waste collection in many informal settlements and villages, adding that this is the government’s responsibility.
Tabuya said Fiji, like many small island developing states, is facing increasing pressure from population growth, rapid urbanisation, tourism and changing consumption patterns.
She says landfills are under pressure and plastic pollution is increasing because it threatens our reefs and oceans, and waste management costs continue to rise.
The Minister also highlighted the success of the container deposit scheme, saying it is encouraging children to collect plastic bottles and cans on their way home from school, which they can return and receive five cents for each bottle or can.
Tabuya is encouraged more businesses to follow the company’s example by adopting sustainable practices, adding environmental sustainability and business success can go hand in hand.
