Waste Generation Rising 7x Faster Than Population Growth – Data Points to Main Root Causes of Fiji’s Waste Crisis – PRF
The recent Fiji Bureau of Statistics data, highlighted by FBC News on 24th August, showing a 17.5% increase in Fiji’s waste generation between 2013 and 2023, while population growth rose by only 2.4%, points to the main root causes of Fiji’s waste management crisis, which the Pacific Recycling Foundation has been consistently highlighting.
“These root causes include mindsets and behaviours, lack of accountability and transparency, policies that fail to respond to local realities, and corporate practices that prioritise self-interest over genuine solutions,” said PRF Founder and Director of Operations, Amitesh Deo.
“It is a reflection of how little we have done to change behaviours, consumption patterns, and accountability at every level of our society. Until we address this, no landfill and no single-sided industry solution will fix the problem.”
PRF welcomes the data as it clearly points to the systemic challenge Fiji faces. Waste generation is rising faster than population growth because behaviour is not changing. Consumption habits continue unchecked, waste is still treated as an afterthought, and policy alignment remains reactive rather than strategic.
Deo said building another landfill or continuing piecemeal approaches is not a solution when waste figures are accelerating.
“What Fiji urgently needs is accountability, transparency, and a comprehensive waste management strategy that prioritises mindset and behaviour change at all levels.”
Deo stressed that recycling also needs to be entrusted to recyclers.
“If industry players continue to use waste management as a self-serving branding exercise, the root causes will remain unaddressed. Symbolic actions or narrow industry gains cannot drive waste solutions; they must be inclusive, coordinated, and grounded in the lived realities of grassroots experiences.
Between January and to date this year, PRF and its entrepreneurial arm, Waste Recyclers Fiji Limited, have diverted 2,670 tonnes of recyclables from the Naboro landfill and other dumpsites for recycling purposes.
Deo said while this represents the tireless effort of grassroots recyclers, including the Collection Pillars of Recycling, it remains only a fraction of what is required. This is why PRF continues to advocate for effective partnerships, stronger systems, and honest recognition of the underlying issues to increase recycling rates.
“We are not dealing with a side issue,” Deo emphasised.
“Waste is central to our environmental, economic, and social future. The danger lies in how casually it is being ignored, or worse, how it is being repackaged to serve self-interest rather than real change,” said Deo.
To respond to this mounting waste management crisis and drive practical, implementable, and sustainable solutions, PRF is preparing to launch the Vaka Forum Series – a platform that will bring together stakeholders from tourism, government, municipalities, civil society, and other key sectors to address waste at its root through collective action, accountability, and behaviour change.”
These forums are designed not to be symbolic, but to lead to actionable solutions that are inclusive and grounded in experience.
“The Vaka Forum Series is our call to action,” Deo added.
“It is time to stop treating waste management as an afterthought, and start building systems that are transparent, accountable, and genuinely responsive to the needs of our people.”