By NIKO RATUMAIMURI
For a country of its size, Fiji produces an alarming amount of plastic waste – 15,000 tonnes of annually.
According to the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), this accounts for 11% of the country’s total solid waste.
The problem isn’t going unnoticed. To the contrary, it’s quite confronting and ubiquitous.
Ateca Naulumatua, a 20-year-old second-year law student at the University of the South Pacific (USP), says plastic waste is visible everywhere you look.
“Plastic pollution is affecting our marine resources and even our agriculture. Rivers and streams that were once clean and full of life are now unsafe for swimming or fishing,” she said.
Her sentiments reflect the alarming transformation of natural water bodies into dumping grounds for plastic waste, a trend mirrored across the Pacific.
A 2023 report by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) projected that plastic pollution could cost Fiji up to $4 billion by 2040, with $3b of that attributed to marine ecosystem losses. Furthermore, only about one-third of Fiji’s population—mostly in urban areas—has access to formal waste collection services, making rural communities particularly vulnerable.
Naulumatua’s village of Natalaira, in Tailevu, which is famous for its coastline, has taken proactive steps by initiating small-scale recycling projects. These efforts involve collecting rubbish and reusing what can be salvaged, highlighting the potential of grassroots actions.
However, she believes that more can be done, particularly by engaging the younger generation. “While elders in the village are very active in cleanup campaigns, youth participation is still lacking. We need to encourage more young people to get involved,” she emphasized.
Beyond community-level initiatives, the Fijian government has implemented several policies to curb plastic use.
The government introduced a levy on plastic bags in 2017 to prepare for banning them completely. However, this has not been done. Single use plastic bags are readily available in Fiji’s municipal markets.
At the fifth and final session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) in Busa, South Korea last year, the Permanent Secretary for Environment and Climate Change (MECC), Dr Sivendra Michael, had called for an international legally binding instrument to end plastic pollution, including in the marine environment.
He had highlighted the links between chemicals of concern in plastics, including food-grade packaging and children’s toys.
Assistant Foreign Affairs Minister Lenora Qereqeretabua, who is a passionate advocate for a pollution-free environment, had raised her concern at the amount of plastic pollution in rivers and beaches in Fiji.
Speaking at the Recycling on the Go (ROG) Ambassadors Leadership Forum in Nadi earlier this year, Ms Qereqeretabua had questioned the lack of civic pride, with rubbish-strewn parks and walkways now becoming a common sight.
While this is a step in the right direction, Naulumatua believes that continued collaboration between communities and policymakers is key to creating long-lasting impact.
“I’m hopeful for the future. If we work together as a community, we can reduce plastic pollution and protect our environment,” she concluded.
Another young advocate, second-year law student at USP, Joshua Natadra, shared similar sentiments.
“It’s become normal to see plastic bottles floating in our waterways. It’s disheartening,” he shared. His account underscores the daily reality of many Fijian communities that are grappling with improper waste disposal and the lack of effective waste management systems.
Notably, Greenpeace has played a significant role by organizing awareness campaigns and cleanup movements. These initiatives focus on clearing plastic waste from drains, crevices, and rivers.
However, clean up campaigns are seen to have limited rather than sustainable impact. What is needed is a national awareness campaign that begins at the primary school levels.
Businesses are also responding to the crisis. According to Natadra, local shops are beginning to replace plastic bags with paper and biodegradable alternatives.
“It’s a good move. Every small change helps,” he said. This shift towards more sustainable packaging not only reduces plastic pollution but also raises awareness among consumers.
On a personal level, Natadra is committed to reducing his own plastic use and encouraging others to do the same. He cited his mother, who works at a hotel and actively participates in environmental campaigns, as a major influence.
“She’s very involved in Greenpeace activities. That has inspired me to take my own steps toward sustainability,” he said.
Education and awareness play a central role in both Naulumatua and Natadra’s approaches to tackling plastic pollution. They believe that by informing the young about the long-term effects of plastic waste, communities can make more informed choices.
“People need to understand how harmful plastic is—not just for marine life but for our health and economy as well,” Natadra stated.
These young advocates, who are the future leaders, agree that structural support from the government, in tandem with community-driven efforts, is essential. They advocate for additional incentives to reduce plastic use and expanded educational campaigns to reach more people.
“We need programs that not only target schools but also community centers, markets, and workplaces,” said Naulumatua.
As the climate crisis intensifies and plastic continues to flood the oceans, the voices of Fiji’s youth are more critical than ever. They are not only highlighting the damage but also offering solutions—community engagement, policy reform, and education.
Niko Ratumaimuri is a second-year journalism student at The University of the South Pacific, Laucala Campus.
