Pacific Recyclers Alliance Secures Legal Registration – A Milestone for Grassroots Recycling Advocacy in the Pacific
Pacific Recyclers Alliance (PRA), comprising grassroots recycling organisations from six-member countries of Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, and Vanuatu, has officially been registered as a legal entity in Fiji, marking a historic milestone for grassroots recycling advocacy across the Pacific.
The announcement was made by PRA President Amitesh Deo, who is also the Founder of Pacific Recycling Foundation (PRF). PRF serves as the Secretariat of PRA and will coordinate its operations from its office in Koronivia, Nausori, Fiji.
PRA was formed exactly one year ago in Fiji, following the Inaugural Pacific Recyclers Meeting led by PRF in partnership with USAID Clean Cities Blue Oceans. It unites grassroots recycling organisations from six Pacific countries, bringing their collective voices together for the first time in the region’s history.
“This legal registration is more than a procedural step; it is a powerful leap forward in our quest to ensure that grassroots recyclers, which includes our Collection Pillars of Recycling, are no longer sidelined in regional waste management discussions,” said Deo.
“For decades, many of these organisations and individuals have worked in isolation, facing neglect, lack of recognition, and unfair treatment. Today, their voices are not only heard but legitimised.”
PRA’s registration will provide the platform to strengthen advocacy for fair recognition and support of grassroots recycling organisations, mobilise partnerships with governments, development and brand partners, the private sector, and academia for impactful, grassroots-driven recycling projects, secure equitable treatment by lobbying for a fair level playing field that ensures grassroots recyclers are respected, compensated fairly, and not subject to discriminatory practices, and respond collectively to the escalating waste management crisis in the Pacific with innovative, scalable solutions.
“With this registration, we are making a strong plea for partners to come forward. There is an urgent need for climate-related finance and targeted investment to build resilience and ensure that grassroots recyclers, who stand at the frontline of waste management and climate action, are not only recognised but adequately supported,” stressed Deo.
Deo revealed that a few collaborations have started to take shape, including engagement with the University of New South Wales and the ANZPAC Plastics Pact, signalling PRA’s commitment to building evidence-based, regionally relevant solutions.
“Pacific Recyclers Alliance is now better placed to transform recycling from being seen as an informal struggle for survival into a recognised, dignified, and strategic sector that can contribute meaningfully to the circular economy of the Pacific. This registration is a message of hope and unity to all grassroots recyclers across our islands.”
The PRA’s Board of Trustees brings together a wealth of expertise from across health, law, academia, and industry. It comprises Dr. Devina Nand, Head of Wellness at Fiji’s Ministry of Health; Patricia Parkinson, Environmental and International Law Specialist; Dr. Yoko Kanemasu, Associate Professor in Sociology at the University of the South Pacific; and Leigh Howard, Chief Operating Officer at Tropica Group of Companies.