The public, councils need to manage our waste disposal with greater care

The United Nations (U.N.) Environment Programme states that the increasing volume of waste or rubbish collected annually around the world is posing a serious risk to ecosystems and human health.

About 11.2 billion tonnes of solid waste is collected worldwide, the U.N. reports.

Poor waste management, ranging from non-existing collection systems to ineffective disposal, causes air pollution, water and soil contamination.

The U.N. recommendation to the problem is simple - minimise waste or rubbish.

The Fijian Government, through the Department of Environment in its national Solid Waste Management Strategy and Action Plan 2006-2010, reported that solid waste management is the single largest problem in Fiji.

The plan, with the theme ‘Working towards a Cleaner Fiji’ stated that waste problem is further compounded by the lack of infrastructure, financial constraints and appropriate legislation.

It said proper management needed to be implemented in Fiji.

Daily waste or rubbish volume increases with population.

It has been two decades since the implementation of the plan, but local municipalities and the country continues to highlight the need to reduce rubbish production.

We are shooting ourselves on the foot by rubbishing our own environment.

Today, we highlights the need for a clean and healthy environment after concerns of some Nadi ratepayers on the inability of their council to clear rubbish on time.

The council said the delay was beyond its control as the Vunato disposal site in Lautoka was temporarily closed last week because of bad weather.

Nadi special administrator Sanjeet Patel said: “A lot of questions raised and critics put forward by ratepayers on why the garbage collection has been delayed.

“The expectation is really high. Let me tell the public that it was due to the unavailability of the Lautoka Depot at Vunato. This is where we take our rubbish and refuse. Due to heavy rain, the Lautoka Depot has been temporary closed.”

Mr Patel has assured solutions, coupled with the council, being given a backhoe loader last week to help in rubbish collection.

Rubbish or waste collection in towns is the responsibility of the local municipalities. Municipalities face problems carrying out their tasks because of non-payment of levy among other things.

So, it is everyone’s responsibility to ensure that rubbish is cleared as scheduled. Ratepayers pay the levy, which allows the council to take the rubbish. Rubbish is rubbish. It needs to be cleared on schedule. While the council temporarily halted service because Vunato was out of reach, the question arises if there was a ‘Plan B’?

It is a paid service; hence the ratepayers expect service to be rendered as scheduled.

Nadi is expanding and is the hub of Fijian tourism. It is an eyesore to see rubbish lying on our streets. Rubbish attracts sickness, stray dogs, and it’s bad for business and the environment.

Clearing rubbish on time and keeping its township clean to maintain good health, good business and booming economy and most of all to keep the tourists flying in should be top on the priority list.