SIX more TrashBoom units will be installed around the country as Fiji ramps up its war on plastic pollution.
TrashBoom — a waste interception device — recently pulled about 60kg of rubbish, mostly plastic bottles from Suva’s Nubukalou Creek.
Installed with the support from the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, the TrashBoom, trapped 60.5kg of solid waste in the first week of April.
Of that 41kg, about 70 per cent, were plastic bottles.
Permanent secretary for Climate Change and Environment Sivendra Michael said while recyclable items were being redirected to designated stations, non-recyclables still end up in landfill for now.
“This is an interim measure,” Mr Michael said.
“Once the pyrolysis plant being developed by Golden Manufacturers is operational, we anticipate redirecting tyres and hard-to-recycle plastics to this facility for sustainable disposal.”
Weekly audits conducted by the TrashBoom team help identify and sort materials such as glass bottles, tin cans, soft plastics, and foam.
Mr Michael confirmed the next TrashBoom device will be deployed at Nakasi (creek near Rups outlet), “one of the more challenging litter hotspot areas.”
“We’ve been directed by the Honourable Prime Minister and the honourable Minister for Environment to continue leading the charge with these practical and effective interventions,” he said.
He also revealed that Container Deposit Regulations are currently being finalised.
“We’re finalising regulations that will place management fees on single-use plastics.
“This initiative aligns with international commitments under the global plastic treaty and supports Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes.
“While early attempts to bring this to Cabinet in 2012 faced industry resistance, we are now working to address those concerns and bring the policy into effect.
Despite the gains, the permanent secretary admitted “momentum still needs to pick up.”
