Recycling for a sustainable and inclusive Fiji
Walking the talk: Connecting the dots
CHALLENGES regarding waste management will always be with us, as long as we are on this planet, and we continue to rely on mainly imported manufactured consumer goods for our needs and wants; goods that are largely made from or packaged in fossil fuel-based plastics and other materials extracted from the ground.
Wastes generated from consumer goods brought into the country must go somewhere. Be they be goods made from plastic, metal, cardboard, or paper, or they are things like tin cans used to pack tuna fish; plastic bags used to pack dhal or noodles, or larger items, such as old cars and white goods. In 2021, Fiji imported about 400,000 tonnes of goods alone, of which materials that could be distinguished as plastic, metal & cardboard/paper was about half. These statistics do not include, for example, the volume of cans, containing foods, or plastic bags, cardboard boxes used for packing food items, or Styrofoam/ cling plastic.
'Wastes management' is a serious and growing issue in Fiji.
Currently, household and business wastes in urban areas are collected by 11 municipal councils and sent to dumpsites. Such collections covered only 60 per cent of the urban people and only 10 per cent of rural people. Wastes not collected are either buried, burnt, or discarded in the environment.
Did you know, pollution caused by discarded materials such as plastic directly kills marine life, or plastics when broken down into microplastics are ingested by marine life and ultimately enter our bodies, causing significant health issues. Such wastes also have huge carbon footprint, with us contributing to global climate change, from their production or not reusing or repurposing them. IUCN recently reported the environment costs of plastic pollution alone in Fiji, including the impact of marine life and GHG emission costs in 2019, to be $FJD 33 to 44 million. With such costs associated with wastes, concerns have been growing about sustainable management of wastes for a circular economy in Fiji, and globally.
Circular Economy
In a circular economy, products are used efficiently; consumers and manufacturers minimise the amount of waste they generate; wastes produced are recycled and repurposed into other consumer products, and materials once extracted are kept circulating within the economy for as long as possible.
Can we increase our rates of recycling for sustainable waste management? The short answer is YES if we recognise the importance of 'taking a holistic approach towards waste management, 'Walking the Talk: Connecting the Dots'.
Government actions
Successive Governments have been concerned about waste management and have developed many management instruments. In the last two decades or so, by one count, nine Legislations, four Regulations, and five Strategies and Plans were developed and currently in place for addressing waste management issues.
The government has also implemented some practical projects with the support of development partners. Such support resulted in, for example, the generation of several management instruments; much-needed waste related data; on the ground composting projects as part of Cleaner Schools program; and market composting programs; the introduction of subsidised compost bins across six council areas and the upgrading of the Naboro landfill.
Despite such initiatives and existing management instruments, the government appears to have continued to struggle with the waste management challenge. The government itself has noted many challenges over time, even as recently as 2018 and 2023.
Amongst the challenges identified included the issue of uncoordinated and ineffective waste management systems at all levels; ineffective enforcement of existing laws; lack of civic pride and the need to incentivise recycling and waste minimisation. Calls have been made over time for a comprehensive waste management plan for rural and urban areas to reduce the impact of pollution on terrestrial and marine ecosystems; and about changing human behavior and mindset towards wastes and creating civic pride.
Various national instruments have provided some useful guidance, Walking the Talk for sustainable outcomes, has generally been limited.
It is important to also note that none of the government instruments reflect the recognition of and challenges faced by collectors of recyclables.
Collection Pillars of Recycling
Fiji's fledgling recycling industry is built on the back of informal waste pickers, or 'Collection Pillars of Recycling'. While the number of CPR are not known, they comprise particularly marginalised women and members of the LGBTQI+ communities. They normally experienced occupational health and safety issues while working at dumpsites; experienced human rights violations; and were often abused and/or treated with disrespect. Some municipal councils also saw them as a 'nuisance' affecting their dumpsite operations
Change in behavior and practical actions
One persistent theme for decades has been the call for changing attitudes, mindsets, and behavior towards wastes, and concrete actions for impact. What does this mean for you and I as Consumers, and/or Importers? How to achieve such changes?
Recent experiences of the Pacific Recycling Foundation provide some useful lessons.
PRF's experience
Pacific Recycling Foundation is a 'rightsbased not-for-profit' organisation with a primary goal to advocate for and provide structured support to CPR, and advocate for and encourage people to take practical actions for improved recycling, recognising the rights of all for a healthy and sustainable environment. It is guided by its other core values of integrity, human rights, and social justice of CPR, and do no harm.
Its three impactful programs have produced significant results and provide some useful lessons for our path towards sustainable waste management for a circular economy and an inclusive society.
Recycling on the Go (ROG) Ambassadors Program, focussing on schools, and I-Recycle Hub Program targeting communities and businesses, are aimed at changing mindsets and taking actions for improved recycling and other aspects of sustainable waste management. It adopts a holistic, 'connecting the dots' approach: advocacy; training; set-up of collection bins (I-Recycle Hub); establishment of a staff/student management committee; collection, monitoring, and evaluation programs; and feedback for improvements.
ROG Ambassadors Program is currently implemented in three schools – (Jai Narayan College; Jasper William High School, and Nadi Sangam Primary School), and the fourth ROG Ambassadors Program will be launched at the GRD event at Queen Victoria School, Tailevu.
I-Recycle Hub Program is currently established in three communities (Kilikali, Kabutri, and Bykeitou), two private sector locations (BAT & Sheraton Resort), and five public sector organisations (FDB; FNPF; HAF; and FNU). Many more are in the pipeline.
Under PRF's CPR Program the focus is on advocacy for the recognition of CPR and respect for their human rights. It provides structured support to CPR, including training in human rights and basic life skills; referral programs & PPEs with the help of local partners. PRF also successfully facilitated OH&S improvements for CPR in partnership with DFAT, Lautoka City Council, and R.C. Manubhai.
PRF's programs have produced significant and noticeable changes in mindsets and recycling behaviour in schools and local communities.
One of the reasons for the impactful results is the adoption of outcome-focussed 'hands-on' program design, embracing a holistic and practical outcome-focused approach, recognising that to achieve sustainable waste management, a change in attitudes and mindsets has to be followed by a change in behavior and concrete actions by everyone. It also recognises that no single activity can alone produce the desired outcomes of sustainable waste management.
Collaboration and partnership across key stakeholders, and initiatives supported by local and development partners, are also essential.
PRF's efforts could not have been possible without the support of many local and international partners.
In essence, to achieve the desired goal of increased recycling and sustainable waste management for a circular economy and an inclusive society, we each must adopt the mantra of "Walking the Talk: Connecting the Dots."