The Recycle Organics program provided 20 wheelie bins in October to help Fiji’s Lautoka Market with its ongoing composting efforts.
In early October, the Lautoka Market in Fiji celebrated a significant milestone in its journey towards sustainability with the handover of 20 green wheelie bins for the segregation and collection of organic waste. This initiative, part of the Recycle Organics (RO) Program funded by Environment and Climate Change Canada, aims to streamline separation at the source, ensuring that organic waste generated by the market’s vendors is composted efficiently to produce nutrient-rich organic fertilizer that then becomes available to the public.
The ceremony took place within the market’s new wing and was attended by nearly 40 vendors who will be the primary users of the bins. The Head of Cooperation at the Canadian High Commission, David Fournier, highlighted the initiative’s role in combating climate change. He emphasized that diverting organic waste from landfills through composting not only reduces greenhouse gas emissions but also contributes to sustainable waste management practices.
“By providing bins for organic waste separation, we can facilitate the process of producing high quality compost, making it easier for communities and the city council to manage organic waste,” said Fournier. “We can raise awareness about climate change and methane mitigation, contributing to a more sustainable future for Fiji.”
The Lautoka Market, which receives around three tons of organic waste daily, is the only market in Fiji that composts its waste. However, in the past, the lack of proper waste segregation posed challenges to its composting efforts. The new RO wheelie bins are expected to improve the separation and storage of organic waste, ensuring an efficient composting process.
The compost generated through this program is transported to Lautoka’s compost yard and sold at $3.15 per kilogram, encouraging backyard gardening and contributing to a circular economy. By turning waste into valuable compost, the Lautoka Market is not only addressing waste management issues but also empowering local communities to sustainably grow their own food.
Composting allows the community to significantly reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills, which in turn decreases methane emissions—the culprit behind over 30% of global warming today. It produces a high-quality organic fertilizer that can be used to enrich the soil for plants, sequester carbon and reduce the need for chemical fertilizers. It also generates savings for the city in the transportation and final disposal of waste, while educating people on the importance of sustainable waste management practices.
Mohameed Anees Khan, CEO of the Lautoka City Council, expressed his gratitude for the program, noting its significance in supporting the city’s sustainability goals. "This initiative will greatly enhance our efforts to promote organic waste recycling and help transform the way we manage waste at the Lautoka Market,” he said.
Filomena O'Neil, President of the Lautoka Market Vendors Association, echoed this sentiment, stating that the bins will help vendors easily separate their market waste and store it neatly for collection. Head of Corporate Services Shalend Singh also expressed appreciation, noting that this effort complements ongoing waste separation initiatives.
This handover marks a significant step towards a greener future for Lautoka and serves as an inspiring example for markets across Fiji to replicate.
The RO program collaborates with Pacific and Caribbean countries like Fiji and Samoa to provide technical assistance in the Municipal Solid Waste sector to reduce methane emissions in the long term. The program operates in over 20 countries globally and has the potential to mitigate up to +30.1 million tons of CO2e. To learn more, visit the program's website at https://recycleorganics.org/.
About the CCAP Methane Mitigation Program
The overarching goal of the CCAP Methane Mitigation Program is to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the waste sector by advancing policies, programs and projects that contribute to sustainable waste management. In addition to its work with Recycle Organics, CCAP previously led the CCAC Latin American Regional Waste City Network—a network of 24 of the largest cities in the region to build the capacity of waste stakeholders at the municipal level—to provide a forum for participants to share best practices and learn from others in the region and help cities prioritize MSW actions and measures.
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CCAP’s mission is to support every step of climate action, from ambition to implementation. A recognized world leader in climate policy and action, CCAP creates innovative, replicable climate solutions, strengthens capacities, and promotes best practices across the local, national, and international levels to accelerate the transition to a net-zero, climate resilient future. CCAP was founded in 1985 and is based in Washington, DC.
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