PRF’s “Look Beyond” approach: Recycling and waste management solutions should be for everyone and not based on social status, skin colour & ethnicity – Deo

Kilikali Settlement in Nasinu has become the second community in Fiji and the first informal settlement to implement the ‘I Recycle Hub’ a fundamental tool in terms of visible and practical participation in recycling.

The program has been launched in the settlement by the Pacific Recycling Foundation in partnership with Pacific Energy and Nasinu Town Council.

The 31-year-old settlement is home to 268 residents who moved from maritime and rural areas in search of job opportunities in the Central Division.

The PRF’s Founder and CEO of Waste Recyclers Fiji Limited, Mr. Amitesh Deo said it is a humbling journey where the PRF, which is a rights-based organisation is able to take such a program to an informal settlement.

“People living in informal settlements face several challenges which might be less predominant in other communities such as high levels of unemployment, limited public infrastructure, social issues such as domestic violence, discrimination, harassment, and stigma,” said Mr. Deo.

Mr. Deo stressed we need to start treating waste management as everyone’s issue and every Fijian deserves to have access to a waste management system, including informal settlements, and those that reside in rural and maritime areas.

“Better waste management systems should not be exclusive to only some sectors or groups in our country because of their socio-economic status. This is already in practice as those that live in and around towns and cities have far better accessibility to regular water supply, better roads, and medical services, while the same cannot be said about those that reside in informal settlements, rural and maritime areas. At PRF, we are committed to changing the landscape of waste management in Fiji holistically and this includes people living in informal sectors,” stated Mr. Deo.

The PRF Founder said this is part of the Foundation’s “Look Beyond” movement-building approach where recycling and waste management solutions should be for everyone and not based on social status, skin colour, ethnicity, and so forth

“Many times, we see solutions only being worked out for people who are already privileged and those in marginalised communities are left out. Going forward, the PRF would also like to see our leaders are not visiting informal settlements only every four years which coincides with election campaigns, said Mr. Deo.

Mr. Deo said they are grateful to Pacific Energy for their long-term partnership with the PRF and the latest collaboration is a testament to their continued vision for a clean, safe, and healthy environment for current and future generations.

“So far, the I Recycle Hub program has been implemented in three schools, one community, and at a factory/corporate level. Today marks the sixth implementation which is envisioned to bring about a change in behaviour and mindset toward best practices of recycling, reduced waste to Naboro landfill, and increased volumes of recyclables that will go through a proper recycling stream,” said Mr. Deo.

The PRF’s Founder said the implementation of the I Recycle Hub bins is a strategic approach aimed at various layers of data collection, advocacy, and project sustainability and these strategic initiatives aim to provide national and regional blueprints for waste management while also supporting and empowering individuals participating in this space.

The Chief Executive Officer of Pacific Energy, Mr. Xavier Baronnet said since 2019, the company has continued to invest in programs and events that promote environmental sustainability.

“As a responsible corporate organisation, it is important to ensure that we play an integral part in ensuring the space we live in is sustainable, especially in Fiji,” said Mr. Baronnet.

He said they expect this collaboration to provide much-needed relief to the residents of Kilikali Settlement in terms of their waste management challenges.

“We are excited to work with the PRF to bring recycling solutions to our communities, and in this case, an informal settlement which may have its unique challenges,” said Mr. Baronnet.

Meanwhile, through the support of organisations such as the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre, Fiji Cancer Society, and Consumer Council of Fiji, the Pacific Recycling Foundation was able to provide a week-long training to 15 recycling advocates of Kilikali Settlement on best practices for recycling, human rights, gender-based violence, gender disparity, various forms of abuse, consumer rights and freedom, health issues, and access to basic health services as well as education on cancer.