Local voices need to be heard

The Founder of Pacific Recycling Foundation, Mr. Amitesh Deo said it is vital that the voices of those engaged in the waste management and recycling sector in Fiji are part of regional and global discussions.  

Mr. Deo who is also the CEO of Waste Recyclers Fiji Limited, recently participated in a high-level discussion on waste and the circular economy in Asia and the Pacific in the Global Green Growth Week 2022, an annual event that will support the Global Green Growth Institute and its 43 member countries shape their messages in the leadup to the UNFCCC Conference of Parties COP27 to be held in Egypt. 

The GGG Week 2022 provides engagement with global green growth leaders and practitioners, and also gives participants an avenue to learn and share opportunities across a range of sectors and topics to address the main theme of the event “Unlocking the Potential of Green Growth and Climate Finance Innovations”.

Mr. Deo has acknowledged GGGI for providing this platform to PRF, which represents different sectors of the recycling space and is the voice for those involved in informal waste picking, mostly comprising of women and members of the LGBTQI+ groups.

“There needs to be recognition that recycling and waste management has an important human element attached to it, and it is imperative that those engaged in informal waste picking are provided with opportunities to contribute ideas and share their challenges. We need to ensure they also benefit from discussions surrounding waste management and recycling,” said Mr. Deo.

Mr. Deo added that discussions on waste management and recycling should not be purely based on academics but also on the experience of those working in the space.

“Through WRFL, we have been actively involved in providing ongoing support to those involved in informal waste picking for several years, including assisting in opening bank accounts, registration process of national identification cards and retirement fund forms. We believe that by empowering these communities, the collection networking will strengthen and the collection rate of recyclables will improve,” said Mr. Deo.

Mr. Deo said organisations and development partners planning to hold discussions on recycling and waste management need to understand and appreciate the challenges and deep-rooted issues that some in this sector go through, and their representation in any sort of regional or global discussion is absolutely necessary.

He added that since there are common issues with regard to recycling, waste management and environment throughout the region, PRF believes a regional network will be instrumental in paving the way forward to improve the waste management system in the Pacific.