This week marked a historic milestone for 36 Collection Pillars of Recycling (CPR) at Maururu in Ba, after they received official identification cards from the Pacific Recycling Foundation (PRF), in partnership with the Ba Town Council.
For the CPR community in Ba, some of whom have been working at the Maururu dumpsite for more than 20 years, the recognition had been a long time coming.
In a media statement released this week, PRF founder Amitesh Deo said the handover was more than just a formality.
“This is about restoring dignity,” Mr Deo said.
“These ID cards are not just for access to the dumpsite, they are a symbol of the respect, recognition, and dignity that these hardworking individuals deserve.
“We are grateful to the Ministry of Local Government for their continued support.
“Ba is now the second location in Fiji where CPR have received ID cards, following Vunato in Lautoka.”
Collection Pillars of Recycling are the individuals who were previously known as informal waste pickers and are essentials to Fiji’s waste management system.
The PRF used this term to elevate their role and address the stigma associated with their work. The CPRs play a vital role in collecting recyclable materials from various locations, including homes, businesses, and dumpsites, and they help to divert waste from landfills and ensure that recyclable materials can be processed and reused.
