Fiji toughens litter laws, warns businesses over pollution

Fiji is cracking down on illegal dumping and pollution with significantly enhanced litter laws. The amended Litter Act now carries heavier penalties, including hefty fines and possible jail time for individuals and corporations caught polluting the nation's waterways.

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Well, we have amended the laws when it comes to the Litter Act. We are now criminalising corporations for illegal dumping as well as polluting our waterways.

Minister for Environment and Climate Change Lynda Tabuya issued a stern warning to businesses and organizations, urging vigilance to prevent environmental contamination. "We are now criminalising corporations for illegal dumping as well as polluting our waterways," she stated. Her ministry is boosting its monitoring and enforcement efforts to ensure strict compliance.

In parallel, Fiji is encouraging public participation in waste reduction through the 'Return and Earn' initiative. This program incentivizes citizens to recycle eligible plastic bottles and containers by offering a five-cent refund per item at designated collection points. The initiative is funded by contributions from eight beverage companies.

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And so we just want to tell all our organisations, all our businesses and restaurants, please be vigilant that you don’t pollute the environment otherwise we are coming after you.

These measures aim to curb Fiji's annual solid waste generation, estimated at 130,000 tonnes. Authorities anticipate that the new laws and recycling programs will substantially decrease improper waste disposal across the country.

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The funds come from the contributions of eight beverage companies in the country and so the way it works is that members of the public come to a Return and Earn Centre, they can bring in a beverage plastic bottle that’s 600ml, 1ltr, 1.25ltr, 2ltr or 2.25ltr, or even 3ltrs and they’ll still get a 5cent refund.