Concerns over littering
LITTERING has become a huge environmental problem and a source of great concern for many around the country.
Littering on roads, streets and even by trash bins can cause dangerous materials or chemicals to be carried by the wind into rivers, forests and into the ocean, polluting waterways, the soil and aquatic environment. It only has negative consequences for the environment and the people, but many just continue to ignore it.
A team from this newspaper visited litter bin sites along the Suva-Nasinu corridor. They found bins full of trash, rubbish spilling on to roads and footpaths. At some sites, dogs were seen scattering trash while scavenging for food. The environment was filthy and let off an unbearable foul smell.
We spoke to residents to find how they were adjusting to such an environment and whether the polluted environment was affecting them.
Indar Deo, 68, of Khalsa Rd in Nasinu, lives a few metres from the Daleivalelevu 2 bin site, and he says it is an absolute eyesore.
“We are so unfortunate to live here and bear all this,” he says.
“We just don’t have any other choice but to stay here. The foul smell from the litter bin and the site is unbearable.
“Sometimes we have to close our windows if the wind blows towards our side.”
Mr Deo says the problem occurs when the bin is full.
“I have called council many times about the bins when they’re full and need to be replaced. I have even sent them pictures.
“Before, they would answer my calls but now they just don’t bother at all.
“People who dump their rubbish here, do not take it away when they see the bin full. They just dump it beside the bin and leave.”
Mr Deo says one solution to the problem is to replace the bins frequently.
“They (council) must consider the population in our area. Khalsa is full, that’s why we have been requesting the council to clear the bins frequently.
“Every Sunday we have a prayer service at my place and a church service is held next to our house. But due to the foul smell, we’re not able to concentrate on our prayers.
“I just don’t know how this problem will be solved.”
Ella Tabakibau, 32, of Wailea Settlement between Vatuwaqa and Raiwaqa, lives next to a bin in her area, and she says her family of four kids is badly affected by the overflowing bins.
“We have requested the council to relocate the bin, but it seems they just don’t care,” Ms Tabakibau says.
“Sometimes people burn rubbish in the bin and the smoke affects us all.
“Some parents even give the rubbish to their children to throw away. When the children are unable to reach the top of the bin, they just dump there and leave.
“The residents don’t have civic pride. When the bin is full, they don’t bother looking for another to dump their trash in.
“Who is affected? It’s us who live beside the bins.”
Fellow resident, Abdul Arif, 44, stays next to a bin and he says the bin site is a breeding ground for flies, mosquitoes and cockroaches.
“We can’t do much,” he says. “If we stop people or say something, they’ll fight with us. If we call the SCC, they don’t respond.
“I think the problem will be solved if the city council garbage collectors clear the bins frequently.
“The population in our settlement has increased and there is only one litter bin on our side.
“Something must be done to end the trashing.”
The residents don’t have civic pride. When the bin is full, they don’t bother looking for another to dump their trash in – Ella Tabakibau