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Name Change for Informal Waste Pickers to Collection Pillars of Recycling (CPRs)- Initiated by Pacific Recycling Foundation (PRF)

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PRF is an autonomous organization focused on the key aspect of empowerment of vulnerable communities, in particular women and members of the LGBTQI+, who are involved in waste picking in Fiji and regionally. PRF is an offshoot of Waste Recyclers Fiji Ltd (WRFL), a recycling company that has operated in Fiji for over 29 years.

On the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, PRF, in collaboration with local CSOs such as FRIEND FIJI and Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre, has been providing support to women CPRs and members of the LGBTQI+ in the form of food packs, dignity packs for women and personal protection equipment (PPE).

During the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, the PRF and WRFL management team witnessed the severe forms of domestic violence experienced by the women waste pickers in Fiji.

In partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre, and Lautoka City Council, PRF has been able to deliver some of its key activities, including a first-ever workshop on gender, human rights, legal literacy, financial literacy, accessibility to health care and so forth.

This workshop led to the realization that the term informal waste picker was a contributing factor to the stigma and name-calling attached to the waste-picking trade; hence the name Collection Pillars of Recycling (CPR) was selected. On the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, PRF, in collaboration with local CSOs such as FRIEND FIJI and Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre, has been providing support to women CPRs and members of the LGBTQI+ in the form of food packs, dignity packs for women and personal protection equipment (PPE). Under PRF, and given the uncertainty that surrounds the evolving pandemic, there are plans to continue this support on an assessment/needs basis and keeping in mind that such support does not create a sense of dependency. There is also a need to provide support to this group after natural disasters to ensure that work in the waste collection sector continues.

PRF in partnership with the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) will be constructing a container-like sanitation set-up for the CPRs operating out of Fiji’s second-largest City dumpsite in Vunato, Lautoka. The sanitation set-up will feature two lavatories, 1 for men and 1 for women CPRs, a washroom facility, and a storage area. The design will also have provisions for the CPRs to clean and sort their recyclables from a tent/canopy-like structure that will be attached to the container set-up. This project is aimed at providing the 60+ CPRs in this area with a more dignified workplace for them to operate.

PRF’s program efficiency and impact of work is reflected by a strong sense of partnership with several agencies including working very closely with the Department of Environment, Ministry of Local Government, and local municipal councils, and will continue to take a multi-stakeholder approach to implement its deliverables. PRF’s over 28 years of experience under its business arm Waste Recyclers Fiji Ltd and expertise in delivering established programs in Fiji and supporting the regional partners in the Pacific is evidence of a strong past performance and ongoing impact.

Current collaboration also includes PRF participating in waste management expert panels with international agencies like the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) in New Zealand, and the French Embassy. PRF’s collaborative approach is also reflected in working very closely with USAID’s Clean Cities Blue Oceans (CCBO) program in the development of a proposal concept for the GEEA grant and programs to implement a regional alliance mapping exercise that will enhance the recycling awareness and participation rate at a regional level. CCBO is committed to providing technical assistance through training on SWM/3R, SBC, and the Women in Waste Economic Empowerment activities.

[Last Updated: 26th July 2023]