Floating barriers designed to stop plastic waste before it reaches the ocean are now being deployed across Suva, marking a proactive step in Fiji’s fight against marine pollution.
Founder and Director of TrashBoom Pacific, Wayne Fuakilau says the locally designed and fabricated trashbooms are aimed at intercepting rubbish upstream, preventing it from flowing into rivers and eventually the ocean.
Fuakilau says five trashbooms are being installed in key hotspot areas identified by municipal councils, with sites selected based on waste flow and environmental impact.
He says that unlike traditional clean-up efforts, the initiative focuses on stopping waste at its source.
In addition to collecting waste such as plastics, aluminium cans, textiles and sanitary products, the trashbooms also gather data to better understand waste patterns.
He says this information can help identify gaps in waste management systems, such as insufficient bin access or collection frequency, allowing for more targeted solutions.
Minister for Environment and Climate Change Lynda Tabuya officially launched two of the trashbooms on Monday, located in Nakasi and between the Holiday Inn and the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva.
Tabuya says the installations are part of a broader national effort to prevent litter from entering Fiji’s waterways and oceans.
She highlighted that previous installations, including at Nabukalou Creek, have already captured significant amounts of waste ranging from plastic bottles and packaging to diapers, toys and electronic items.
Tabuya adds that the trashbooms serve a dual purpose, not only intercepting waste but also providing valuable data to support national initiatives such as the National Plastics Inventory and strengthen waste management policies.
She also pointed to wider government efforts, including stronger enforcement of litter laws, the introduction of a container deposit recycling scheme, and the development of an integrated waste management strategy.
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