Illegal dumping and inadequate waste disposal are persistent challenges facing Nausori. Rubbish is frequently abandoned at bus shelters, markets, and outside skip bins, often outside of scheduled collection times.
Rajesh Kumar, Acting CEO of the Nausori Town Council, has emphasized the council’s proactive measures, including the installation of CCTV cameras in areas known for illegal dumping. He explained, “We have taken a very proactive approach by installing CCTV in hotspot areas because we are constantly collecting garbage that is illegally dumped overnight, and this has become a major cost to the council.” Kumar highlighted that the issue of overnight dumping leads to repeated clean-up operations, significantly increasing operational costs for the council. He noted that just days after waste is removed, new garbage appears, creating a misleading impression of the council’s effectiveness.
In response to this ongoing issue, Local Government Minister Maciu Nalumisa criticized the current regulations as outdated, pointing out that existing penalties for littering are insufficient. “If you look at the current legislation that comes to the Litter Act, it was way back in 2008, and the fine now is only $40. So it’s something that the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change is now considering a review, because it’s something that we need to strengthen that particular area to deter people from littering,” Nalumisa stated.
The Ministry is reviewing these outdated laws with a focus on increasing penalties while encouraging residents to adhere to waste collection schedules and dispose of their garbage responsibly. This proactive stance aims to foster cleaner and more sustainable towns and cities across Fiji.