The InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa has partnered with Mission Pacific, a PET bottle and aluminium can “recovery and recycle” program that is operated by Coca-Cola Europacific Partners Fiji with the support of Natural Waters of Viti Ltd and the Motibhai Group of Companies.
The aim of the partnership is to minimise the environmental impact of their operations by ensuring that their beverage packaging has a place to go once the product has been enjoyed, and the packaging is no longer required.
The Mission Pacific program aims to promote sustainable practices and increase recycling rates in Fiji, with the InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa supporting the program as a responsible tourism operator.
Under the program, InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa will separate our PET bottles and aluminium cans into individual bulk bags which, once filled, will be picked up by Mission Pacific and brought to their main Bottle Buy Back Centre in Kinoya for processing.
The PET bottles and cans will be sorted for quality and brand, counted, processed and loaded into containers for shipping overseas for additional processing. The program is designed to promote recycling and reduce single-use plastic waste in Fiji.
InterContinental area general manager South Pacific Lachlan Walker said they were proud to partner with Mission Pacific to promote sustainable practices and recycling in Fiji. “Our mission is to create a positive impact on the environment and local community, and we believe that every action counts,” he said in a media statement on Tuesday.
“By separating and recycling PET bottles and aluminium cans, we are reducing the environmental footprint of our resort and contributing to a cleaner and greener Fiji. We believe that sustainability is a shared responsibility, and everyone can contribute to a more sustainable future.”
In addition to the environmental sustainability benefits, InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa is also committed to educating its staff and rewarding sustainable behaviour through the Mission Pacific Program.
Mission Pacific pays the resort a redemption fee for every PET bottle or aluminium can of the Mission Pacific range that is collected. Beginning in April 1, all money raised from the recycling program will be paid to staff gratuities each month.
This initiative aims to encourage colleagues to pick up the rubbish around the resort and make sure it is placed in the bin. It also encourages them to separate PET bottles and cans from the general waste in all the venues around the resort.
Once collected, used plastic bottles are sorted, separated, and compressed into bales, ready to be shipped. These pre-sorted bales are delivered to a facility that tears them apart and processes them further.
Mission Pacific has been in operation since 1999 and its recycling program operates out of the Coca-Cola Europacific Partners Fiji factory and warehouses in Suva, Lautoka and Labasa – which are commonly referred to as Bottle Buy Back centres.
Mission Pacific says it will pay recyclers 5c per PET bottle or aluminium can when they are collected. PET bottle and cans can be brought to one of Mission Pacific’s bottle buy-back centres. Mission Pacific is urging individuals, schools, towns and municipalities to join the program in their bid to do their part for the environment.
