GVI Fiji Achievement Report - Waste Management, August 2013 Updated
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GVI successfully implements Waste Management Initiative in Silana Village Fiji Hub Achievement Report August 2013 Silana Village is located on the eastern coast of Viti Levu island in the Dawasamu District of the Fiji Islands. Silana is home to approximately 170 villagers and has limited access to waste management facilities; the closest being in Suva, two hours drive away. Waste is created every day with food scraps, paper, tin cans, glass bottles, and plastic wrappers. Typically, villagers dispose of their waste by throwing food in the ocean, burning papers, plastics and cardboard, and burying tins and glass. Living directly on the coast on the edge of a marine protected area, and due to a direct dependence on the land for farming, the toxins from burning and burying rubbish not only harm the immediate environment around the community, but contributes to general harmful emission s and has a direct impact on the villages food sources. In July 2013 GVI staff attended a presentation by representatives of the Nadi Town Council on the ‘3R’s (recycle, reuse, reduce) initiative’ and the ‘Clean Schools Program’ which have been successfully implemented across Nadi Town to promote recycling, reduce the burden on landfill sites and encourage zero burning. Using this presentation as a guideline for best practice GVI generated a waste management plan for the community of Silana. In an effort to help promote a more sustainable lifestyle, GVI has begun providing bi-weekly awareness presentations for both children and adults concerning effective waste management. The ultimate goal is to create and promote an ongoing system and understanding of waste management and its benefits amongst villagers of remote communities. By reducing the amount of waste that is burned daily, Silana Village will be a cleaner and healthier home, and will set an example for villages in similar situations. Teaching the village about recycling and composting also
GVI Fiji Achievement Report - Waste Management, August 2013 Updated
