MANY business owners in Suva are calling for more public awareness on the litter problem around the Central Business District right up to Toorak.
A recent survey conducted by The Fiji Times revealed that the majority of business owners in the area have been taking responsibility for the litter outside their shops. However, despite their best efforts, a persistent issue remains; customers and homeless individuals often disregard available waste disposal options, causing ongoing street littering.
The survey, which sought to gauge how businesses viewed littering in the city and how they manage the problem, found that most shop owners actively clean the areas in front of their establishments.
Many business owners report sweeping the sidewalks daily, with some taking additional measures to ensure cleanliness throughout the day. However, a significant challenge is dealing with litter produced by both customers and homeless people.
A business owner, who wished to remain anonymous, has been operating in the area for more than two decades. He said that while rubbish bins were provided outside their shops, many customers still choose to discard their waste on the ground.
“Even though the bin is outside our shops, the customer still opts to throw their rubbish on the ground,” the businessman said.
“We see little pieces of receipts outside the shops, we sweep them up every morning.”
The business owner further highlighted the difficulties posed by homeless individuals who often left behind discarded containers and other waste.
While businesses are taking responsibility for the litter outside their stores, many owners emphasised that the issue was not isolated to their own premises.
“It’s not just us, every business along this street knows to clean in front of their shops. This has been the norm from the beginning, 20 to 25 years when we learnt that it is our responsibility.”
While speaking with other businesses along the area, The Fiji Times confirmed that almost all businesses cleaned their front before and after they close shop.
“We would appreciate it still for the cleanliness and civic pride if the customers could use the bins that are just outside of our stores. It’s not that hard, it’s just outside the shop.”
On the positive side, business owners were quick to acknowledge the support from the Suva City Council, which collects larger waste on a regular basis.
“For our big rubbish, there is a time the SCC comes and collects, and they collect it every day,” said one owner.
While businesses in Suva’s Central to Toorak area are doing their part in maintaining the cleanliness of the streets, it is clear that the city’s littering problem is a complex issue that involves more than just the efforts of shop owners.
“Almost every business in Suva City has a bin in front of their shops and we as citizens need to make use of these bins,” the business owner said.
