The Pacific Recycling Foundation is concerned that waste production in Fiji is increasing at a rate that is seven times higher than the population growth.
Founder Amitesh Deo said recent data from the Fiji Bureau of Statistics showed a 17.5 percent increase in Fiji’s waste generation between 2013 and 2023, while population growth rose by only 2.4 percent.
He said this highlighted the primary root causes of Fiji’s waste management crisis, which the PRF had been continuously emphasising.
“These root causes include mind-sets and behaviours, lack of accountability and transparency, policies that fail to respond to local realities, and corporate practices that prioritise self-interest over genuine solutions,” Mr Deo said.
“It is a reflection of how little we have done to change behaviours, consumption patterns, and accountability at every level of our society.
“Until we address this, no landfill and no single-sided industry solution will fix the problem.”
He said the data clearly pointed to the systemic challenge Fiji was facing.
“Waste generation is rising faster than population growth because behaviour is not changing.
“Consumption habits continue unchecked, waste is still treated as an afterthought, and policy alignment remains reactive rather than strategic.”
“What Fiji urgently needs is accountability, transparency, and a comprehensive waste management strategy that prioritises mind-set and behaviour change at all levels.”
He said recycling also needed to be entrusted to recyclers.
“If industry players continue to use waste management as a self-serving branding exercise, the root causes will remain unaddressed.
“Symbolic actions or narrow industry gains cannot drive waste solutions; they must be inclusive, coordinated, and grounded in the lived realities of grassroots experiences.”
Mr Deo said between January and to date this year, PRF and its entrepreneurial arm, Waste Recyclers Fiji Ltd, had diverted 2670 tonnes of recyclables from the Naboro landfill and other dumpsites for recycling purposes.
He said while this represented the tireless effort of grassroots recyclers, including the Collection Pillars of Recycling, it remained only a fraction of what was required.
“This is why PRF continues to advocate for effective partnerships, stronger systems, and honest recognition of the underlying issues to increase recycling rates.
“We are not dealing with a side issue.
“Waste is central to our environmental, economic, and social future.
“The danger lies in how casually it is being ignored, or worse, how it is being repackaged to serve self-interest rather than real change.”
