Washroom and kitchen facility brings dignity to the CPR community in Vunato

Over 60 Collection Pillars of Recycling (CPR), who are involved in informal waste picking at the Vunato dumpsite, will benefit from the completion of a washroom, kitchen, and storage facility handed over to the Vunato CPR community today.

The project was developed by the Pacific Recycling Foundation (PRF) and Waste Recyclers Fiji Limited (WRFL) in partnership with Lautoka City Council and RC Manubhai, after receiving a grant award from the Australian Government through its Direct Aid Program.

The Minister for Housing and Local Government, Hon. Maciu Nalumisa, officially opened the facility near the Vunato dumpsite and handed over the keys to Ms. Asenate Lewabeka, who has been involved in waste collection for 25 years.

The project aims to give the CPR community in Vunato a sense of belonging, promoting dignity and showing appreciation for their contribution to environmental sustainability.

“Our CPR in Vunato, particularly women and members of the LGBTQI+ community, endure unimaginable struggles daily while combing the landfill for recyclables. They have been deprived of basic services such as water, washroom facilities, and a hygienic and dignified place to have meals. They no longer need to use the bush as toilets or miss their lunch, simply because they don’t have access to a toilet and a suitable place to have meals,” said the Founder of the PRF and CEO of WRFL, Mr. Amitesh Deo.

Mr Deo said the community was indebted to the Australian Government and Lautoka City Council for their support toward one of the PRF’s key objectives of providing structured support to those involved in informal waste collection., He noted that this collaboration would heighten the importance of Collection Pillars of Recycling in the waste value chain.

Lautoka City Council CEO, Mr. Mohammed Anees Khan, said the Council was delighted to have collaborated with the PRF and Australian Government to become the first municipality in the country to provide support of this form to CPR, which would assist the Council to increase the longevity of the Vunato Landfill.

67-year-old CPR worker, Ms. Asenate Lewabeka, said the project would improve their working conditions and bring dignity to the community.

“We continue to face a great deal of stigma due to the work we are involved in, where we collect discarded items to earn a living,” said Ms. Lewabeka.