More than 17.7 million beverage plastic bottles and aluminium cans have been recovered through Return & Earn Fiji in the first nine months of 2026, with $1.6 million paid in refunds to the public and handling fees to municipal councils.
8,841,926 plastic bottles and 8,900,614 aluminium cans were recovered from January to September, taking total collections to 17,742,540 containers.
Return & Earn Fiji Representative Dwain Qalovaki says the results demonstrate the growing role communities are playing in recovering beverage containers and creating value from materials that can be recycled.
Qalovaki says more than 17.7 million containers recovered in nine months is a strong indication of what can be achieved when communities have an accessible way to participate in recycling.
He says more than $1.6 million in funding from the Fijian beverage industry has been paid in refunds and handling fees, creating value for the people and partners participating in the programme.
Collections have increased across each quarter of 2026, with Q1 recording 2,020,330 containers, followed by 5,575,215 in Q2 and 10,146,995 in Q3.
The programme has also facilitated the export of 15 40-foot shipping containers of processed PET flake through the Moana Taka Partnership between January and September.
The collection network has continued to expand, with 13 operational collection centres now established.
The rollout identifies Tavua, Rakiraki, Levuka, Labasa, Savusavu, Taveuni, Rotuma and Kadavu among the next locations, with a longer-term vision of at least 50 collection centres serving communities across Fiji.
Qalovaki says the focus now is on sustaining participation, expanding access to Return & Earn and working alongside municipal and community partners so that more people across Fiji can take part.
Return & Earn Fiji allows members of the public to return eligible beverage plastic bottles and aluminium cans for a refund.
All brands of beverage plastic bottles and aluminium cans are accepted, including alcohol, non-alcohol and water brands.
