Let us demonstrate genuine care and commitment to preserving our environment this Fiji Day – PRF Founder

As Fiji looks forward to celebrating 53 years of independence tomorrow, the founder of the Pacific Recycling Foundation and CEO of Waste Recyclers Fiji Limited, Amitesh Deo has called on the public to demonstrate genuine care and commitment to preserving our environment.

In a statement, Deo says we can also demonstrate this by working towards bringing equality for the marginalised and vulnerable who continue to face huge challenges in accessing basic services, including proper waste management systems.

Deo calls on every Fijian to reflect on the appalling deterioration of civic pride when it comes to waste management and keeping our environment clean.

He adds we also need to reflect on how we may have failed as a society through our priorities, policies, education system, and so forth which have contributed to the decline in civic pride.

Deo says while we have been massively impacted by external factors, our collective actions and ignorance have also contributed to Fiji’s extreme vulnerability to the impacts of climate change.

He says there is no doubt about our patriotism and pride for Fiji and it is evident when Fiji is on the rugby field, however, we need to show the same commitment when it comes to managing waste and keeping our environment clean.

He further says the PRF is working through its tailor-made programs to change mindsets and behaviour toward best practices however they need the same level of commitment from the Government, private sector, and development partners.

Deo says Fiji boasts some of the world’s most pristine beaches and is in great danger of losing tourism attractiveness and some of our world-renowned resorts are complaining that they are battling with the littering issue, where their staff are heavily involved in clearing massive amounts of rubbish on their beachfront daily which gets washed up from nearby picnic spots.

The PRF Founder says through their “Look Beyond” movement-building approach, they will also continue to strongly advocate that better waste management systems should not be exclusive to only some sectors or groups in our country because of their socio-economic status.

He says those who live in and around towns and cities have far better accessibility to regular water supply, better roads, and medical services, while the same cannot be said about those who reside in informal settlements, rural, and maritime areas.

Deo says PRF is committed to changing the landscape of waste management in Fiji holistically and this includes people living in informal sectors and rural areas.