New Year’s Message – Entering 2023

“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 is according to Waste Recyclers Fiji Limited CEO and the Founder of Pacific Recycling Foundation, Mr. Amitesh Deo who said 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 programs at the grassroots level.

He says as we welcome the New Year, it is imperative that we reminisce the historic and significant steps taken in 2022 in the waste management and recycling space, predominantly initiated by WRFL and its foundation arm, PRF.

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 ever-growing problem of recyclables ending in our waterways which negatively affects our food resources, amongst other things. 

“We continue to bring to the fore the untold stories of unimaginable difficulties and deep-rooted issues that many in this sector go through, particularly those involved in informal waste picking and the great need to empower them, through understanding and appreciating their challenges and also by including their voices in discussions that impact them,” said Mr. Deo.

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 and also assisting them in opening bank accounts, registration process of national identification cards and retirement fund forms. He said they believe that by empowering these communities, the collection networking and the collection rate of recyclables will improve.

“We remain committed to expanding our recycling programs 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,” said Mr. Deo. 

PRF’s Founder believes the recycling projects and their outreach and empowerment programs have laid a solid foundation in their bid to reduce waste pollution and empower those involved at the grassroots level, and it is now for the Government, donor agencies, development partners and the private sector to take some bold steps to share the commitment.

“We are also looking forward to working with the new Government in the area of waste management, recycling and environment as a whole,” said Mr. Deo.

Mr. Deo highlighted they have been working closely with the Department of Environment, Ministry of Local Government and Ministry of Education with respect to their recycling and outreach programs and are excited to enhance their partnership in the new year with major developments planned for recycling program implementation and related advocacy work for 2023.

PRF also engaged in studies and research work with their partners in 2022 to find solutions and ideas on sustainable recycling and upcycling projects for Fiji and the region, and the collection of recyclables from remote and maritime areas. These studies will continue in 2023.