Recycling Body to Continue Mission
As we look back at 2022 and make reflections on our decisions and also prepare resolutions, I would like to urge everyone, including the Government, private sector and communities at large to take a moment and ponder where to from here when it comes to waste management, the environment, and most importantly the human aspect of recycling
This was the plea from the founder of Pacific Recycling Foundation and chief executive officer of Waste Recyclers Fiji Limited, Amitesh Deo. According to Mr Deo, 2022 was the beginning of a journey of listening to the voices and giving recognition to those involved in informal waste picking, as well as laying the foundation of recycling and proper waste management programmes at the grassroots level.
Mr Deo said they successfully launched two first of its kind recycling projects: the Recycling on the Go (ROG) Ambassadors project, in partnership with Swire Shipping and Jai Narayan College and the Pilot Recycling Project in Kabutri Drive, in partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature; both designed to change mindsets and behaviour towards recycling within our communities, as well as to address the evergrowing problem of recyclables ending in our waterways which negatively affects our food resources, amongst other things.
Mr Deo said in partnership with the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre and the IUCN, they have been actively involved in providing ongoing assistance, including workshops on gender, human rights, legal literacy, financial literacy and well-being for women waste pickers from Lautoka.
“We remain committed to expanding our recycling programmes and empowering the
vulnerable communities engaged in informal waste picking throughout the country through targeted initiatives however, this will be only possible through consistent donor funding, strong public-private partnerships and recognition that recycling is a necessary and integral part of sustainability,” Mr Deo said.
“We are also looking forward to working with the new Government in the area of waste management, recycling and environment as a whole,” Mr Deo said.
Mr. Deo highlighted they have been work
ing closely with the Department of Environment, Ministry of Local Government and Ministry of Education with respect to their recycling and outreach programmes.
Source: Pacific Recycling Waste Recyclers Fiji Limited
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