Pacific Recycling Foundation Launches 2026 Global Recycling Day Theme & Campaign

Pacific Recycling Foundation has officially launched its 2026 Global Recycling Day (GRD) 30-Day Campaign, with the main national event to be held on 18 March at Ratu Sukuna Park with the theme: “Grassroots Recyclers’ Journey: Peaks, Valleys & Resilience.”

The theme highlights the lived realities of grassroots recyclers, who continue to navigate hardships and systemic barriers while playing a vital role in diverting recyclables from the landfill and dumpsites and contributing to Fiji’s circular economy.

Speaking at the launch, PRF Founder Amitesh Deo said GRD 2026 would go beyond awareness and focus on measurable systems change.

“While we celebrate the resilience of our grassroots recyclers, resilience alone is not enough. We must strengthen structured support, align policies, and build accountable partnerships that place them at the centre of Fiji’s waste management solutions,” Deo said.

He added that recycling in Fiji must transition from fragmented efforts to structured, holistic and inclusive systems that deliver measurable impact.

The 18 March event will mark several key milestones. PRF will launch the “I Recycle” Program at Ratu Sukuna Park, making it the first recreational park in Fiji to implement a comprehensive recycling programme in the heart of the capital. An announcement will also be made regarding progress toward advancing a Regional Recycling Hub to strengthen cross-border cooperation. PRF is expected to announce structured recycling strategies to support municipal councils, as well as the Tanoa Agreement, a tourism-sector commitment framework aimed at delivering practical and measurable circular waste management solutions.

The GRD campaign includes a VAKA Forum at the University of New South Wales with academic and industry partners, a VAKA Forum with Collection Pillars of Recycling while also marking International Waste Pickers Day, and a VAKA Forum with Members of Parliament and Permanent Secretaries to advance policy dialogue.

Two national public campaigns have also been rolled out: the National Lapel Pin Campaign – “Join the Recycling Movement”, which is aimed at supporting the expansion of recycling programmes across Fiji, including maritime and remote communities; and “Empower the Nation: Recycle, Curb Plastic Waste,” advocating recycling as a pathway to reducing plastic pollution.

PRF’s 2026 Global Recycling Day is supported by major partners such as the Ministry of Environment & Climate Change, Pacific Energy, and the Suva City Council, alongside other key partners such as Nestlé Fiji, ANZPAC Plastics Pact – APCO, Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation and Tourism Fiji. Support partners include R.C. Manubhai & Co. Ltd, Formscaff Fiji Pte Ltd, Pure Fiji and Vivid Media.

Deo reiterated that GRD 2026 is not simply a commemorative event, but a coordinated national movement aimed at strengthening accountability, improving implementation, and ensuring recycling systems in Fiji are holistic, structured, and sustainable.