Waste Recyclers Fiji and Pacific Recycling Foundation in partnership with the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, Nausori Town Council, and the Department of Environment have announced the implementation of a community-based pilot recycling program.
The pilot program, which will serve as a strategic tool for program upscaling, will be implemented at Kabutri Drive in Koronivia, Nausori.
Waste Recyclers Fiji Limited Director, and Pacific Recycling Foundation founder, Amitesh Deo says there are nearly 150 residents in Kabutri Drive and most have shown keen interest in the pilot program.
The Koronivia area currently has very limited waste collection system with only one communal collection point pick-up of general waste provided.
Deo says about 98% of the residents in Kabutri Drive confirm that they are currently disposing of their recyclables through dumping, burying or burning as communal waste collection in this area is only done once a week.
He says this pilot recycling intervention will bring a waste management solution desperately needed in this area.
Waste Recyclers Fiji Limited’s vision is to ensure recycling gets implemented in all communities in Fiji over a period of time, and this pilot program will act as a blueprint for recycling in other areas.
Deo says the pilot project will provide critical data on several aspects that will later help them to scale-up recycling projects in Fiji. This includes- lessons learnt, effectiveness of their training program, challenges faced, gender perspective of waste management and recycling, community engagement and participation.
He says plans are underway to launch the pilot project in October for a period of three months.
The report on the pilot project is expected by January next year.
