Landfill business models should avoid focusing on maximum waste volume - PRF

As Fiji moves forward with plans for a second landfill in the Western Division, Pacific Recycling Foundation is calling for a shift away from the outdated waste management practices that prioritise volume over sustainability.

This is after the Minister for Local Government and Housing, Maciu Nalumisa highlighted that there is a need to identify a suitable rubbish dump as there is none in the Nadi area.

In a statement PRF stresses that the business model for landfills must not be based on maximising the amount of waste that goes into the landfill, as this approach contradicts the core principles of environmental, economic and social sustainability.

Founder, Amitesh Deo emphasised that landfills should be designed to manage only general waste that cannot be recovered or recycled, not to encourage the dumping of large volumes of waste.

Deo says a landfill's role should be limited to receiving actual rubbish, not recyclables or materials that can be recovered.

He says large volume accelerates the exhaustion of landfill space, leads to higher taxpayer costs for cell reconstruction and undermines efforts to reduce waste and advocate recycling.

Deo says that landfills should also not be involved in processing recyclables, as this introduces a lack of accountability.

He says recycling should be left to recyclers.

The Founder says PRF’s ongoing work with Collection Pillars of Recycling (CPR), individuals who play a vital role in the collection of recyclables from dumpsites and public places, underscores the importance of leaving recycling efforts to dedicated individuals, groups and grassroots recyclers.

Deo further says PRF is advocating for the proposed Western Division landfill to be developed under two key principles: Do No Harm and People Before Profit.

He adds this means ensuring that recyclables are recovered before waste enters the landfill and that the landfill is not incentivised to focus on waste volume.