Bykeitou Settlement benefits from the I Recycle Hub Program under a grant aimed at reducing ocean plastic pollution
Around 300 residents of Bykeitou Settlement (an informal settlement) will greatly benefit from the I Recycle Hub Program under USAID’s Clean Cities, Blue Ocean Program in partnership with the Pacific Recycling Foundation and Waste Recyclers Fiji Limited, and Nasinu Town Council.
The project has materialized through a grant provided by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), through its Clean Cities, Blue Ocean (CCBO) program, to Waste Recyclers Fiji Ltd (WRFL) and Pacific Recycling Foundation (PRF) to design and build I-Recycle Hub Bins that will promote recycling practices in Suva.
Bykeitou Settlement, situated in Nadera, Nasinu is a 60-year-old community that does not have any proper waste management system. Currently, residents dump their household waste near a creek and some waste is also burnt.
According to the residents, waste usually gets washed in the creek during heavy downpours, which is a huge environmental concern.
The Founder of the PRF and CEO of WRFL, Mr. Amitesh Deo said Bykeitou Settlement is the second project site following the launch at the Fiji Development Bank, last month.
“Today’s launch is special as Bykeitou Settlement has been facing huge challenges in accessing some basic services, in particular proper waste management system,” said Mr. Deo.
“At PRF, we are committed to changing the landscape of waste management in Fiji holistically and this includes people living in informal settlements.”
“Through a collaboration with the Nasinu Town Council and under the USAID CCBO program, we have been able to provide residents of this informal settlement with a recycling solution that will significantly help in capturing plastic and other kinds of waste, that would usually leak into the environment.”
Nasinu Town Council CEO, Anurashika Bari said today’s launch further strengthens their partnership with the PRF and WRFL in the waste management space, particularly for communities that do not have access to waste management services.
“An urgent, sustainable, and innovative solution is needed to tackle waste management as millions of dollars are spent on waste disposal. The Nasinu Town Council spends $2.5 million annually to dispose of 20,000 tonnes of waste at the Naboro Landfill.
Meanwhile, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Assistant Administrator for Asia, Mr. Michael Schiffer unveiled the first of several new I Recycle Hub bins at the Fiji Development Bank on 18th August.
