The Suva City Council has officially launched the Return and Earn initiative to help address waste management challenges in the Capital.
Under the initiative, people can earn 5 cents for each plastic bottle or can they return.
People also have the option of putting their bottles and cans out for collection by SCC; however, all bottles and cans must be clean before being returned or collected.
Acting CEO Tevita Boseiwaqa says Return and Earn is one of the initiatives introduced by the Council to help control and address waste management challenges.
Boseiwaqa says the Council has also signed a memorandum of agreement with the Pacific Recycling Foundation to strengthen awareness in communities and schools and to establish recycling centres.
He says the Council continues its role in waste collection and landfill management, while encouraging communities to practise good waste management.
Boseiwaqa stresses that the Council alone cannot solve the problem and says it is encouraging to see other partners, including the Ministry of Environment, coming on board.
He also thanked communities that have been cleaning up their areas, saying that by working together, they will be able to address the problem wherever they are, which will help improve quality of life and public health.
People can bring their bottles and cans on Tuesdays from 9am to 1pm to the Health Compost Facility on Fulaga Street, Samabula, opposite the Fiji Roads Authority depot.
They can also take them to the Eagles Court in Raiwai on Thursdays from 9am to 1pm.
Municipal councils that have rolled out plastic and can recycling initiatives include Sigatoka, Lautoka, Lami, Nausori, Nadi and Suva.
