A new trashboom is installed at Syria Park in Nausori to capture waste flowing through waterways has exposed the growing scale of littering.
While launching the fifth trashboom, the Minister for Information, Environment and Climate Change says the type and volume of waste collected shows that rubbish is being deliberately dumped into drains and rivers.
She says the waste being trapped is not accidental and adds that a full trashboom is an indication that people are failing to take responsibility for proper waste disposal.
The Minister further states that within minutes of the launch, more than one kilogram of waste was collected from the site, including plastic bottles, pipes, children’s toys and pens, highlighting the volume of rubbish moving through Nausori’s waterways.
She says the issue is both personal and national, noting that waste disposal challenges continue to affect communities across urban and rural areas.
Tabuya also confirms that amendments to the Litter Act are expected to be tabled in Parliament next week, with new regulations aimed at strengthening enforcement, clarifying definitions, expanding coverage, and introducing tougher penalties, including for companies.
However, she stresses that laws and infrastructure alone will not solve the issue, adding that behavioural change remains key.
The Minister says the “Do the Right Thing” campaign is focused on driving this change through school engagement, awareness programmes, bin support initiatives, and a Community Beautification Competition to encourage civic pride.
The project was delivered through a collaboration between the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, the Government of Japan, the United Nations Environment Programme, Trashboom Pacific, municipal councils, and community partners.
