March 18th will become a symbolic date that will represent an important change in our behaviour towards recycling as, on this day, the Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka will declare Pacific Recycling Foundation’s Plastic Free Day initiative, which calls on all Fijians to refrain from touching or using any forms of plastic, and reflect how we are disposing plastic waste.
This declaration will be done during the 2023 Global Recycling Day celebrations at the Sheraton Fiji Golf and Beach Resort in Denarau on Saturday.
This is according to the Foundation’s Founder and the CEO of Waste Recyclers Fiji Limited, Amitesh Deo who says a lot of effort and thought process has gone into developing this idea and it is their way of saying to stop and reflect on how we are dealing with plastic waste.
Deo says they understand you cannot go completely plastic free but it’s a day dedicated to reflecting on our actions.
He urges Fijians to reduce plastic use while going shopping, out for a coffee, or at the office on March 18th.
Deo says their message to the retailers on the day is to refrain from providing avenues where plastic can be used.
He says they have had pushbacks where people have said why only one day and it does not make any sense, however, the message is that March 18th is a day to reflect on how we are disposing plastic.
He says the village elders have recognised that the food chain supply has been impacted because of improper waste management.
Deo says March 18th is also a day to reflect on the struggles and challenges in recycling and is urging Fijians to join the recycling movement and show solidarity towards recycling programs by wearing a pin.
