TRASH booms first installed in Nasinu since April 2024 have proven effective in intercepting large volumes of waste, highlighting both the scale of illegal dumping and the urgency of stronger waste control.
Nasinu Town Council CEO Felix Magnus said the first trash boom trialled at Moala settlement in Nadera demonstrated how much rubbish was entering drains and waterways.
On the ground, community manager Tevita Tawake said the rubbish collected at the trash boom site clearly showed the weight of the issue. He said an average of 1.2 tonnes of rubbish is collected each month.
“Plastics made up 80 per cent of the waste collected,” he said. “We collected bags full of plastics.”
During heavy rainfall in October, Mr Tawake said, the trash boom trapped large household items including old fridges, tree trunks, and branches, requiring the team to remove the debris and modify the catchment to keep the system functioning.
He said the next step was installing the trash booms at four other sites in the Nasinu area including Makoi, Omkar in Narere, and the creek that connected Centrepoint to Samabula.
Mr Magnus said the volume of waste collected through the boom showed what would otherwise have ended up in sensitive coastal environments, affecting marine life and livelihoods that depend on clean waterways.
He said the success of the Nadera trial prompted engagement with the Environment Ministry, which later adopted the approach at other sites. However, he stressed infrastructure alone would not solve the issue.
He added that the effectiveness of the trash booms exposed another deeper issue of illegal dumping which must be addressed through stronger laws alongside environmental initiatives.
No outlet, just gunk, says Taka
BLOCKED drainage at Suvavou Village has left villagers seeking assistance from the Lami Town Council and stakeholders.
Village resident Tailasa Taka reported they’ve dealt with the drainage problems for years, and because of improper outlets, a foul stench has enveloped the entire village.
Mr Taka said there is no outlet for the drainage system within the area and all the gunk has accumulated at the front of the village and overflows towards Harbour Point.
He said that during dry spells, the algae dries up, but the stench lingers.
Mr Taka said a contributing factor towards is the waste disposed of from a nearby fish plant, and that the prolonged overflow has become hazardous for the villagers.
“It has become slippery because of the algae. There isn’t a place where this water is flushed,” Mr Taka said, adding the blackish waste water harboured diseases.
He said they have raised their concerns with the town council numerous times, and that nothing has been done to resolve the problem.
