One Tonne of Rubbish Pulled From Vatuwaqa Creek

More than a tonne of rubbish has been pulled from the Trashboom in Vatuwaqa creek, exposing the scale of dumping along the waterway. The haul included plastic bottles, food wrappers, household waste, plastic bags and used syringes.

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The creek is not your rubbish bin. More than 1000 kilos of rubbish did not get there by itself. People put it there.

Environment and Climate Change Minister Lynda Tabuya directed a blunt message at communities and households living along the creek: “The creek is not your rubbish bin. More than 1000 kilos of rubbish did not get there by itself. People put it there.”

She warned that waste discarded into drains or the creek upstream creates hazards downstream before eventually reaching rivers and the ocean. Used syringes raised particular concern because they can injure people involved in cleanup operations. “When you throw a used needle into a creek, you are putting the person who has to clean up after you at risk. That is unacceptable.”

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What you throw into the drain or creek upstream becomes somebody else’s problem downstream. Eventually, it reaches our rivers and our ocean.

Tabuya said cleanup efforts would have little effect if dumping continued. “Government can clean this creek today, but if people dump rubbish again tomorrow, we are back to square one.” The ministry thanked Trashboom Pacific and community members who took part in the three-day operation.

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Government can clean this creek today, but if people dump rubbish again tomorrow, we are back to square one.

The fixed penalty for littering rose to $200 from Sept. 1. “The warning period is over. The fine is now $200. If you litter, be prepared to pay,” Tabuya said, urging every household along the creek to take responsibility for its waste.

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When you throw a used needle into a creek, you are putting the person who has to clean up after you at risk. That is unacceptable.