LCC to strengthen waste management efforts
THE Lautoka City Council is aiming to strengthen its waste management efforts through its recycling program.
LCC head of services Deepak Lal said the program sought to address the ongoing issue of pollution within the Sugar City.
“Our dependence on imported processed goods and materials cannot be denied,” he said.
“Over the last decade, urbanisation, population growth, consumerism, commercial and industrial development, tourism, and most other forms of development have all contributed in varying ways to increasing quantities of processed items entering Fiji.
“The increasing amount of waste generated if not managed properly now has the potential to cause negative impacts on the fragile environment, including vital natural ecosystems like marine life, water and underground water reservoirs, severely placing enormous constraints on these existing limited resources.
“Littering, open burning of waste, backyard accumulation of refuse, illegal dumping sites, vector breeding in waste piles were only a few common examples of waste being improperly managed.”
He said these types of behaviour were an indication of the society people embraced.
“Due to our geographical isolation and relatively small recycling market, it becomes very difficult to recycle waste in Fiji.
“In addition, finding suitable landfill sites is quite difficult while management of existing disposal sites is becoming a challenge and financial burden.
“We must all show concern on the improper management and disposal of utilised processed imported goods’ as it has the potential to impact some important sectors of our economy like tourism, cleanliness of our towns food supplies and public health.”
He added that he hoped that with more similar programs including the involvement of primary and secondary school students, attitudes toward waste management would change.