The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), through its Clean Cities, Blue Ocean (CCBO) program, awarded a grant 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 City.
This grant is part of the U.S. Government’s efforts to combat ocean plastic pollution.
PRF and WRFL will set up five bins in well-known high-occupancy establishments around the city, particularly in office buildings, apartments, and small business shops.
The I-Recycle Hub Bins will have three compartments that will be labeled and color-coordinated to specific recyclables to make them user-friendly. Waste like paper and cardboard, plastics, tin, and aluminum will have dedicated compartments. Each bin will have 3 bulker bags that can hold up to 1 ton of recyclables.
WRFL will have a collection schedule where their staff will collect recyclables from the five, I Recycle Hub bins and transport them to the recycling yard in Lami for further sorting and processing.
These recyclables will then be shipped to overseas partners for recycling purposes.
With this project, WRFL and PRF aim to increase the recycling awareness of the community and enable opportunities for Collection Pillars of Recycling (previously known as informal waste pickers), particularly women and members of the LBTQI+ community to participate and become economically and socially empowered.
Through this project, PRF will bring to the forefront the concept and practice of recycling in Suva City and heighten the importance of Collection Pillars of Recycling, in the waste value chain since they are the front-liners in protecting our environment.
With this grant project, USAID, WRFL, and PRF, together with partners from the government, private sector, and communities can recover a significant number of recyclables in the city and divert them from leaking into the environment.
USAID CCBO Implementing Sites
Fiji Development Bank (FDB)
The Fiji Development Bank was the first implementing site launched under the USAID CCBO flagship program on August 18, 2023.
Launched by United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Assistant Administrator for Asia Mr. Michael Schiffer, the event was also attended by Fiji Development Bank CEO Saud Minam, Ministry of Local Government Minister Maciu Nalumisa, Housing Authority CEO Ritesh Singh and two Collection Pillars of Recycling, Ms. Asinate Lewabeka and Ms. Salanieta Rogowalesi to unveil the first recycling bin provided under this grant, which was installed on the grounds of the Fiji Development Bank.
Bykeitou Informal Settlement in Nasinu
Bykeitou Settlement, situated in Nadera, Nasinu is a 60-year-old community that does not have any proper waste management system. Before the implementation of the I Recycle Hub on September 12th, 2023, residents would dump their household waste near a creek and some wastes were also burnt.
According to the residents, waste usually gets washed into the creek during heavy downpours, which is a huge environmental concern.
Now around 300 residents of Bykeitou Settlement are benefiting 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.
Housing Authority of Fiji
The Housing Authority of Fiji became the third site for the I Recycle Hub under USAID’s CCBO program on September 19th, 2023.
The new bins now enable approximately 100 staff and tenants of the Housing Authority of Fiji to segregate and dispose of plastic, paper, and other recyclable waste, to be collected by WRFL for sorting, cleaning, and compacting before it is shipped to overseas partners to be recycled.
The launch at the Housing Authority of Fiji follows the installation of bins at the Fiji Development Bank in Suva City and Bykeitou Informal Settlement in Nasinu – the first three of five planned locations around Suva City to promote improved waste management and community recycling practices.
Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF)
On September 27th, 2023, the Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF) took a proactive measure to reduce their environmental impact by becoming the fourth organisation to participate in the I Recycle Hub bin program.
The I Recycle Hub program now enables over 250 FNPF employees and some tenants to segregate their plastic, paper, and other recyclable waste, to be collected by WRFL for sorting, cleaning, and compacting before it is shipped to overseas partners.
[Last Updated: 1st May 2024]
