PRF welcomes Hon. Nalumisa’s collaborative commitment to implementing solid waste management solutions

The Pacific Recycling Foundation has welcomed the remarks of the Minister for Housing and Local Government, Hon. Maciu Nalumisa who has spoken on the need to collaborate with municipal councils, the private sector, non-governmental organisations, and residents to implement solid waste management solutions that will reduce or eliminate waste sent to landfill and dumpsites.

The PRF’s Founder and CEO of Waste Recyclers Fiji Limited, Mr. Amitesh Deo said they also welcome the Hon. Minister’s comments at the Handing Over of Compactor Trucks to municipalities, that Fijians should start separating waste and consider actively engaging in recycling and reusing practices.

“We look forward to seeing his strong statements reflected further in government policies and practices,” said Mr. Deo.

He said they stand ready to work with the Ministry of Local Government and municipal councils to divert waste from landfill and dumpsites through best practices of recycling which Waste Recyclers Fiji Limited has been involved in for the past 29 years.

“We have begun initial discussions with the Hon. Minister for Local Government and the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Ms. Seema Sharma on ways the PRF would be able to collaborate with the ministry and various municipalities to mitigate waste management problems through recycling programs that are designed to change mindsets and behaviour,” said Mr. Deo.

He said there have been some discussions to look at the possibility of upscaling the PRF’s tailor-made recycling projects to more informal settlements following the implementation of the I Recycle Hub program in Kilikali Settlement, which did not have any proper waste disposal system prior to the implementation.

Mr. Deo said they look forward to having more discussions with relevant government agencies, and various other stakeholders to focus on key areas of the Foundation’s interventions in terms of positively changing the landscape of waste management in Fiji and the region, which will range from behaviour change to research.

The PRF’s Founder highlighted the strategic planning workshop will provide the specific path to meet its end-of-program goals which will also have indicators and a monitoring and evaluation framework attached to its activities.