In a bid to improve waste management and encourage its employees to do the same, the Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF) has become the fourth organization in Fiji to participate in the I-Recycle Hub program.
The scheme, organized and operated by the Pacific Recycling Foundation and Waste Recyclers Fiji Limited is being done in partnership with the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID), Clean Cities, Blue Ocean program.
In a statement, FNPF said the I-Recycle Hub would enable over 250 FNPF employees and some tenants to segregate their plastic, paper, and other recyclable waste, to be collected by WRFL for sorting, cleaning, and compacting before shipping to overseas partners to be recycled.
At present, waste materials from FNPF are sent directly to the Naboro landfill.
FNPF CEO Viliame Vodonaivalu, expressed enthusiasm to participate in the recycling movement
and said while the FNPF’s vision was to secure the future financial security of its members, “we must also secure a sustainable future by protecting our environment and minimizing the impacts of climate change.”
“We are delighted to be one of the five implementing sites for this pilot project as it is also in line with our efforts to advance environmental, social, and governance practices not only from an investment perspective but also at an operational level,” Mr Vodonaivalu said.
PRF founder and WRFL CEO Amitesh Deo said they were humbled to be collaborating with partners such as the FNPF.
“Not long ago, some organisations weren’t interested in collaborating in the recycling space—they did not want to be associated with waste management,” he said.
“We are pleased that this perception is slowly changing, and companies are becoming more aware that waste can be used as a resource and improved waste management is critical to Fiji’s future.
“With organisations such as the FNPF coming on board, we will be able to further amplify this message and change mindsets and behaviour toward recycling,”
The I-Recycle Hub at FNPF is the fourth of five planned locations to advance recycling in Suva City, with other locations including the Fiji Development Bank, the Housing Authority of Fiji, and Bykeitou Settlement in partnership with Nasinu Town Council.
