EIGHT beverage companies in Fiji are pooling their resources into an initial investment of $800,000 and a landmark public–private partnership (PPP) with the Ministry of Local Government that will see the launch of Return & Earn Fiji centres across the country’s 13 towns and cities, creating new opportunities for communities to earn income while protecting the environment.
Starting in the New year, from January 1, 2026, residents will be able to return all brands of beverage containers – plastic bottles and aluminium cans – to designated Return & Earn Fiji centres and receive five cents a container.
Minister for Housing and Local Government Maciu Nalumisa said the partnership is a demonstration of policy meeting action.
“It will divert hundreds of thousands of containers from streets, waterways and landfills, turning what was waste into income for households and community groups,” Mr Nalumisa said at the launch of the PPP early this month.
“We invite all residents, schools, and businesses to take full advantage of this opportunity.”
The program is funded and managed by Return & Earn Fiji, a not-for-profit organisation supported by Carpenters (Fiji) Pte Ltd, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (Fiji) Ltd, Eddie Hin Beverages Pte Ltd, Frezco Beverages Pte Ltd, Motibhai & Company Ltd, FIJI Water, Pacific Island Beverages Pte Ltd and Pleass Global Ltd.
Return & Earn Fiji representative Dwain Qalovaki said the eight beverage companies have committed an initial investment of over $800,000 for trained staff, processing equipment, and logistics.
“From 2026, annual contributions are projected to exceed $1 million, ensuring councils can operate centres effectively in paying five cents a beverage container.”
The initiative follows the success of a three month pilot project by Sigatoka Town Council, where 184,000 beverage containers were collected and over $9,000 paid out to participants, including youths, retirees and community groups.
Return & Earn Fiji will operate two warehouses in Suva and Lautoka, equipped with granulators for plastic bottles, balers for aluminium cans, and forklifts for safe handling.
Processed materials will be exported to accredited recyclers overseas through a partnership with Swire Shipping, which provides sea freight at no cost.
How it works
• Step 1: Collect your empty beverage containers (plastic bottles and aluminium cans).
• Step 2: Bring them to a Return & Earn Fiji centre
• Step 3: Receive five cents a container.
Municipal councils will manage the centres and transfer collected containers to Return & Earn Fiji warehouses for processing and export.
