Pacific Recycling Foundation Marks Global Recycling Day 2026 with Historic Launch and National Call for Inclusion of Grassroots Recyclers

Pacific Recycling Foundation today marked Global Recycling Day 2026 with a landmark national event at Ratu Sukuna Park, bringing together government leaders, development partners, private sector stakeholders, academics and grassroots recyclers to celebrate resilience, recognition, and progress in Fiji’s recycling sector.

Held under the national theme “Grassroots Recyclers’ Journey: Peaks, Valleys and Resilience,” the event placed a strong spotlight on the lived experiences of Fiji’s grassroots recyclers who have sustained recycling efforts across the country for decades, often with little recognition.

The event was officiated by the Minister for iTaukei Affairs, Culture, Heritage and Arts, Hon. Ifereimi Vasu and Special Guest, Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Lenora Qereqeretabua, who reaffirmed Government’s commitment to strengthening proper waste management systems through inclusive policies, regulatory reform, and national initiatives.

GRD celebration is an initiative of PRF in partnership with Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, Suva City Council, Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Pacific Energy, Nestle Fiji, Tourism Fiji and ANZPAC, and support partners such as R C Manubhai & Co Ltd, Pure Fiji, Vivid Media and The Hot Bread Kitchen.

In his opening remarks, Amitesh Deo, Founder of PRF, reflected on the multi-decade journey of grassroots recyclers and the urgent need to ensure that national systems are built on principles of dignity, inclusion, and fairness.

“For too long, grassroots recyclers have worked in the shadows of our waste management systems. Today is about bringing them to the forefront – recognising their contribution, and ensuring that as we build systems, we do not leave people behind,” said Deo.

A key highlight of the event was the official launch of the I Recycle Programme at Ratu Sukuna Park, making it the first recreational park in Fiji and the region to implement a comprehensive, structured recycling system.

Chair of the Suva City Council Special Administrators, Mr. Tevita Boseiwaqa, also announced the Council’s Recycling Strategy in partnership with PRF, which was formally co-signed during the event, marking a significant step toward strengthening municipal waste management systems in Suva.

The event also featured the A.M.M.A Awards, recognising outstanding recycling advocates (Professor Vinayak Dixit from the University of New South Wales and Alvin Chandra – schoolteacher at Nadi Sangam Primary School. The event also saw the formal acknowledgement of the National Collection Pillars of Recycling Alliance, reinforcing PRF’s commitment to building a unified voice for CPR.

A powerful segment titled “The Recycling Journey – Testimony of Resilience” provided a platform for the recognition of three recycling advocates (Asenate Lewabeka – Collection Pillar of Recycling, Khalid Ahmed – Branch Manager of Waste Recyclers Fiji Limited(Lami Branch) and Livai Namaqa – staff of WRFL. They have each committed close to three decades of their lives to this work.

Another major highlight saw the Chief Guest sign the Declaration of Resilience and Partnerships, symbolising a national commitment to unite grassroots recyclers, government, and stakeholders toward a more inclusive and sustainable waste management system.

The event concluded with a strong call to action for all sectors – government, private sector, communities, and individuals – to move beyond awareness and toward sustained collaboration, investment, and holistic and inclusive systems that recognise the contributions of those at the forefront of recycling.

As Fiji joins the global community in marking Global Recycling Day, PRF reiterates that recycling is not only an environmental issue, but a matter of social justice, livelihoods, and national responsibility.