Minister for Local Government Premila Kumar says that the Suva City Council alone incurs $2.28 million on solid waste management operations annually.
While speaking at the Suva Foreshore clean up organised by the Rotary Club of Suva Peninsula Sunset in partnership with the Suva City Council, corporate sponsors and Consumer Council of Fiji, Kumar says the annual operation cost is funded through general rates collected where 12% of the general rates goes towards solid waste management alone.
She says through garbage fee, the Suva City Council collects around $328,189 which does not cover the landfill gate fee or tripping fee.
Kumar further adds that around $600,000 is spent annually for tipping around 25,000 tonnes of city waste at the Naboro Landfill.
Kumar says waste collection simply cannot be provided free of charge as there are several costs associated in collection and disposal of solid waste.
Kumar adds in keeping our environment clean, it is important to remember that waste management comes with a cost.
She says for small island nations like Fiji, the struggle of managing an ever-increasing volume of solid waste is becoming a critical role in creating incentives for waste minimization and ensuring adequate resources for proper waste management.
