Eight new trash booms are set to be installed in key waterways by early next month, focusing on areas that are particularly vulnerable to litter. This initiative is part of a broader effort to combat marine waste, particularly in urban creeks, rivers, and drainage systems that flow into coastal waters.
The Government has announced the enhancement of its national response to marine litter, formalizing a partnership with Trash Boom Pacific through a memorandum of understanding. This collaboration will provide technical support, site assessments, and operational guidance for the new installations. According to the Government, the rollout is being executed alongside litter hotspot mapping, feasibility studies, and environmental impact evaluations, ensuring that each location is chosen based on specific local hydrological and environmental conditions.
Additional litter hotspots have already been earmarked for 2026, as part of a phased and evidence-based expansion plan. Trash booms serve as effective first-line infrastructure that captures floating waste, allowing the collected materials to be properly disposed of and recycled.
This initiative builds on the successful deployment of trash booms at Nabukalou Creek in Suva and near the Bailey Bridge at Laucala Beach. Insights gained from these sites are being utilized to enhance the placement, maintenance, and integration with overall waste management systems.
Recently, a collaboration involving Coca-Cola Europacific Partners Fiji (CCEP Fiji), Coca-Cola ASEAN South Pacific, and Trash Boom Pacific led to the installation of a trash boom barrier on Suva’s Samabula River. This effort, funded by Coca-Cola Fiji, includes the fabrication, installation, and ongoing maintenance of the barrier, while Trash Boom Pacific oversees day-to-day operations and the collection of waste.
This project aligns with CCEP Fiji’s Mission Pacific program, which has successfully recovered millions of plastic bottles and cans for recycling since 1999, further affirming the company’s dedication to responsible packaging management.
Community engagement remains central to this expanded initiative, which complements the ongoing efforts of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change under Fiji’s national waste management, marine protection, and pollution control frameworks. This holistic approach not only addresses the immediate issue of litter but also fosters a collective responsibility among communities towards protecting the marine environment.