PRF welcomes Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Hon. Prof. Biman Prasad’s remarks on looking at measures to promote recycling to address improper waste disposal which will be part of the new National Development Plan

The Pacific Recycling Foundation (PRF) has welcomed the remarks of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Hon. Professor Biman Prasad who has spoken on looking at measures to promote recycling to address improper waste disposal which will be part of the new National Development Plan (NDP).

PRF Founder, Mr. Amitesh Deo said the Foundation looks forward to seeing Prof. Biman Prasad’s statement reflected further in government policies and practices.

“We are happy to see that recycling will be listed as a measure that will be promoted and undertaken by the government to resolve the waste management crisis in Fiji,” said Mr. Deo.

Mr. Deo said recycling is a long-term solution when it comes to addressing improper waste disposal.

“When talking about recycling we must take a holistic approach that involves changing of mindset and behaviour of individuals towards recycling, working with and supporting communities that depend on recycling, especially Collection Pillars of Recycling (CPR) while also incorporating organisations that work in the recycling space.”

Mr. Deo said that through advocacy work, the PRF is also trying to create knowledge of the environmental, economic, and social benefits of recycling.

“We stand ready to work with the government to address the waste management crisis we are in,” said Mr. Deo.

The PRF Founder reaffirmed that PRF and Waste Recyclers Fiji Limited (WRFL) are committed to changing the waste management landscape in the country and the Pacific and on that note, has urged those planning to hold discussions on recycling to respect PRF’s principles of ‘Nothing About Us Without Us’, which is derived from the disability rights community and is also part of our Pacific culture and PRF’s ‘Do no Harm’ principle, where new concepts should not be implemented to do further harm to the environment and communities.

Mr. Deo said any discussions regarding recycling and waste management are of great interest to PRF and WRFL since this has been WRFL’s core work for over 30 years.

“We represent different sectors of the recycling space and are the voice for those involved in the collection of recyclables. It is not possible to hold any discussion regarding recycling without the voices of the grassroots communities, especially those engaged in the collection of recyclables which mostly comprises women and members of the LGBTQ+ groups,” added Mr. Deo.