Stop using the environment as a toilet and dump site.
Waste Recyclers Fiji Ltd CEO and Pacific Recycling Foundation founder Amitesh Deo said this after a clean-up exercise at Koronivia last week unearthed used diapers and urine-filled bottles among the more than 220 kilograms of rubbish that was collected.
He said it was shocking and horrifying to see bags full of used diapers and urine-filled bottles, plastic and glass bottles, wrappers, takeaway containers, tin and aluminium cans, and sacks full of mussel shells on the roadside and in drains.
“This is gross and a violation of our rights to a safe, clean, healthy, and sustainable environment,” he said.
Mr Deo said they were “astounded and disturbed” by the behaviour of some members of the public who were treating the environment like their toilet or dump site.
“This behaviour only goes to confirm a great loss of civic pride and a no-care attitude towards the environment.
“We must start discussing the need to have more public washroom facilities, especially for the travelling public who are stuck in traffic for a long time.”
He said indiscriminate disposal of plastic waste contributed to flash flooding in Koronivia which damaged road and drainage infrastructure.
“Going forward, we will be working closely with businesses and community members in Koronivia as well as relevant authorities to ensure we put in a concerted effort to bring an end to the practices that are hurting our environment,.
The 221.5kg of waste collected included 15.5kg of PET bottles, 68kg of various plastics, and 138kg of general waste.
