The Pacific Recycling Foundation, together with Waste Recyclers Fiji Limited, has taken the first major step towards transforming how recycling data is collected, managed and processed in Fiji through its inaugural Data Digitalisation Workshop.
The workshop marks the beginning of a long-term process to transition manual data collection systems into a customised digital platform aimed at improving the efficiency, accuracy and accessibility of recycling data across the organisation.
PRF Founder Amitesh Deo says evidence-based decision-making has always guided the organisation's work, but modernising the way data is collected and managed has become increasingly important.
Deo says as recycling programmes continue to grow, so too has the amount of data collected every day.
He says the workshop is the first step towards transforming a labour-intensive manual process into a digital system that will improve efficiency, reduce errors, strengthen reporting and ultimately help inform better policy, investment and environmental decision-making.
The workshop is being facilitated by Dr Shiva Abdoli of the University of New South Wales through research funding secured to support the initiative.
Dr Abdoli says digitalising recycling data is not simply about introducing new technology but starts with understanding the data, the processes and the people who use them.
She says by working collaboratively, stakeholders can identify opportunities to improve data quality, accessibility and decision-making, creating a foundation for future innovation and more effective recycling systems.
The workshop has brought together representatives from academia, government, development partners and other key stakeholders to examine existing data collection practices, identify operational challenges and begin designing a digital framework tailored to Fiji's recycling sector.
The initiative also aims to explore future opportunities, including digital applications and smarter reporting systems that can simplify data collection while producing faster and more reliable results.
The initiative emerged from discussions during the Academic VAKA Forum hosted by the University of New South Wales earlier this year, where regional academics and recycling practitioners explored ways to strengthen recycling through research and innovation.
According to PRF, a stronger digital data system will strengthen environmental reporting, support scientific research, improve waste management planning, contribute towards carbon accounting and provide stronger evidence for policymakers and development partners when making future investment decisions.
PRF says while the immediate focus is on strengthening recycling systems in Fiji, the lessons learned through the initiative could eventually support wider collaboration across the Pacific by providing a practical model for standardised recycling data collection throughout the region.
