Families and communities in Lautoka can now earn cash while helping the environment, following the launch of the Return and Earn Centre by the Lautoka City Council.
Lautoka City Council Special Administrator Chair and Acting Chief Executive Officer, Taitusi Rasoki, says the centre will provide up to 100,000 people within the municipality and surrounding communities with the opportunity to return beverage containers in exchange for a cash refund.
Rasoki adds that the Council has dedicated three full-time staff to assist members of the public and ensure the smooth operation of the centre.
Return and Earn Fiji representative Dwain Qalovaki says the centre, established in partnership with the Lautoka City Council, aims to collect all brands of beverage containers.
Qalovaki encourages families and communities in Lautoka to begin collecting plastic bottles and aluminium cans, which can be returned for five cents per container.
He emphasises that Return and Earn Fiji is a not-for-profit organisation that brings together the collection efforts of eight beverage companies into a nationally coordinated recycling system.
He adds that the organisation is working closely with municipal councils to make recycling more accessible for families and communities.
Members of the public can access the Return and Earn Centre with operations on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9.00am to 1.00pm at the IYC Children’s Park, and on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9.00am to 1.00pm at the Vunato Landfill.
The eight participating beverage companies are Carpenters (Fiji) Pte Ltd, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (Fiji) Ltd, Eddie Hin Beverages Pte Ltd, FIJI Water, Frezco Beverages Pte Ltd, Motibhai and Company Ltd, Pacific Island Beverages Pte Ltd, and Pleass Global Ltd
