Any program or initiative’s success can only be measured if you have data to analyse its impacts.
Fiji National University Capital Projects and Infrastructure director Niranjwan Chettiar said this in the wake of a partnership deal inked last week between FNU, Waste Recyclers Fiji Ltd and the Pacific Recycling Foundation.
Through the contract signing, the I-Recycle Hub will see specially designed bins built by Waste Recyclers Fiji Ltd placed at pilot locations at the Derrick Campus in Samabula and Natabua Campus in Lautoka.
The bins aim to promote recycling among students, staff, and visitors at the campus and act as a visible commitment to FNU’s sustainability programs.
“A program or an initiative is only a success if you have data to analyse its impacts,” Mr Chettiar said.
“The two initial sites will provide possibilities for the university community to recycle glass bottles and batteries for electronic remote controls apart from papers, cardboard, plastic bottles, plastics, and aluminium cans.”
“Through this initiative, apart from providing knowledge through its research and programs, FNU is taking environmental concerns seriously and integrating them into its operations.”
FNU acting vice chancellor Professor Unaisi Nabobo-Baba said the partnership aligned with their strategic and sustainability plans and commitment to the environment.
“As a major tertiary education provider, it is crucial that FNU is seen to be proactive and leading the fight in undertaking more environmentally-friendly initiatives that are simple yet impactful,” she said.
“As a pilot project, this will be just the starting of our programs and activities that will be undertaken across our campuses to highlight the message of reduce, reuse, and recycle.
“I note that through the I-Recycle Hub, the university will also be provided with data that will aid in our monitoring and evaluation and shape future activities.”
She said FNU also wished to enhance student experience and awareness of waste management and empower them and staff to practise recycling in their households and communities.
The programme will also allow Waste Recyclers Fiji Ltd to train student environment ambassadors (SEA) based on the industry and other implementation lessons learned.
Waste Recyclers Fiji Ltd director Joseph Inoke-Deo said the contract signing was significant as FNU became the first tertiary institution to implement the I-Recycle Hub Program.
“The signing … marks a promising step towards environmental sustainability where the FNU will use the I-Recycle Hub program to inculcate best practices of waste management and recycling throughout its facilities,” Mr Inoke-Deo said.
“The I-Recycle Hub programme is a fundamental tool in terms of visible and practical participation in recycling and represents a unique concept that challenges the traditional views of recycling and aims to bring recycling to the very forefront of all operations.
“This is a historic moment that signifies FNU’s commitment to best practices of waste management and I thank the acting vice chancellor and senior management of FNU for creating space for this signing.”
