PRF & Ministry of Waterways and Environment to enhance collaboration and partnership
The Founder of Pacific Recycling Foundation and CEO of Waste Recyclers Fiji Limited, Mr. Amitesh Deo held a meeting with the new Permanent Secretary for Waterways and Environment, Ms. Mere Siqila-Lakeba, where they spoke on key priorities and ways to further collaborate in the area of waste management, recycling and environment as a whole.
During the meeting, Mr. Deo gave an overview of the work carried out by PRF and WRFL in the waste management and recycling space, and also discussed at length regarding PRF’s current projects and programs, and future plans primarily designed to change mindsets and behaviour regarding waste disposal and also empower those involved in informal waste picking.
The meeting took place at PRF and WRFL’s Head Office in Koronivia, Nausori.
PRF and WRFL collaborated with the Department of Environment on a few projects in 2022.
“We are pleased that Ms. Lakeba accepted our invitation to be part of this meeting and are looking forward to working with her and the Ministry,” said Mr. Deo.
Mr. Deo said the meeting also gave him an opportunity to inform Ms. Lakeba on PRF’s engagement with the Collection Pillars of Recycling, formerly known as informal waste pickers, and the structured support that have been provided to the CPRs, particularly women and members of the LGBTQI+ communities.
“2023 is an important year for PRF as we want to solidify our partnerships and upscale current projects and programs,” said Mr. Deo.
Ms. Lakeba thanked Mr. Deo and his team for their efforts and also reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to strengthening partnership with PRF.
“For years now, Fijians have put everything in one bin. There is no sorting at source, unlike other developed countries like Australia and New Zealand. Cans, bottles, plastics and organic matter in both solid and liquid form are just rolled up and left in the rubbish bin for garbage collection when majority of these items can be recycled,” said Ms. Lakeba.
“We live in a use and throwaway society. People’s behaviour needs to be changed. Recycling is an opportunity for communities and individuals to do their part in protecting the environment. We as responsible citizens need to understand how the wastes, we produce from our day-to-day activities can negatively impact the environment if it is not managed or disposed of properly,” stressed Ms. Lakeba.
“Recycling offers a wide array of significant benefits that are not only limited to our environment but also the economy, health, and social well-being. It is estimated that up to 75% of all waste can be recycled or repurposed – this is an impactful fact and only goes to show how much the world is losing by not recycling.”
“Recycling saves critical air spaces in the landfills and dumpsites as less waste is taken to the landfills thus, ensuring its longevity and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by limiting the amount of unnecessary waste ending up at the landfills and dumpsites. Going forward, we will have regular consultations with like-minded actors in the waste management space to promote recycling and address growing concern of irresponsible waste disposal and littering,” said Ms. Lakeba.