Australian Government provides grant to Pacific Recycling Foundation to build a kitchen and storage facility

The Australian Government through its Direct Aid Program has provided the Pacific Recycling Foundation with a timely grant to build a portable wash, kitchen, and storage facility in Vunato, Lautoka.

PRF’s Founder Amitesh Deo says the new facilities will benefit around 50 Collection Pillars of Recycling, formerly known as informal waste pickers, who comb through the Vunato dumpsite for most parts of the day to collect recyclables such as plastic, aluminum material, and copper wires which they sell to recyclers to earn a living.

Deo says some CPR have been doing this work for over two decades and contribute about 30 percent of the waste removed from landfills and dumpsites each year.

The Founder says they are grateful for the Australian Government’s support to provide safe, decent, and dignified facilities, particularly for the women CPR and members of the LGBTQI+ community who come from vulnerable communities which play a vital role in environmental sustainability and for the longevity of the dumpsite by removing recyclables and other waste materials from leaking into our environment.

He also acknowledged the Lautoka City Council for their partnership in this project and ongoing commitment to empowering the CPR community.

Meanwhile, Australia’s High Commissioner to Suva, Ewen McDonald, says Australia was pleased to support an initiative that is providing opportunities for economic empowerment, training, and new facilities to support the health and well-being of the people who play a central role in recycling in Fiji. The PRF’s programs are designed to create awareness of recycling, provide structured support to CPR, promotes the protection of labour rights, safe and secure working environment for all workers, reducing inequality within and among countries and social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, economic or other status.

PRF’s programs are aligned to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals such as promoting sustained inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.