ENVIRONMENT Ministry permanent secretary Dr Sivendra Michael says there’s a need for a shift in people’s behaviour towards the usage of plastics.
Dr Michael said one way this can be achieved to help reduce plastic pollution is to revert to traditional knowledge and practices.
“To change the perspectives of people on the ground on the usage of plastics, I think it needs a lot of awareness, and it needs to come from within,” he said
“There needs to be a behaviour shift, and that behaviour shift can only happen if people are acquainted with the necessary knowledge on what the impact of plastic is to their day-to-day lives.”
Dr Michael said people who use plastics are not aware of their ramifications, “so it’s about creating a very layman’s discussion at the household level and having them understand how improper disposal is affecting the marine economy or affecting current ways of life”.
“Back in the day, there was very limited use of plastics, so we need to bring back the traditional knowledge and practice system on how to use commodities around us or fabrics of wood and trees to adhere to day-to-day life.
“The reliance on plastic is something we have created, so we must work together to address that.”
He also said the three-day Fiji National Symposium on Plastic Pollution which opened yesterday at the Pacific Island Forum Secretariat will bring together relevant stakeholders that will address and find ways of reducing the high volume of plastic that ends up at the Naboro Landfill.
