Trash to Treasure: Unleashing Innovation in Fiji's Fight Against Plastic

The pervasive use of single-use plastic cups and plastic wrap on supermarket vegetables has woven plastic consumption into our societal fabric, with alarming consequences. It is projected that by 2050, the weight of plastic in our oceans could exceed that of fish—a startling indication of the scale of this issue. How can we overcome this predicament?

Fiji, one of the many countries, bears the brunt of the plastic waste that washes ashore, experiencing the detrimental effects firsthand. To tackle the surplus of plastic, our Ambassador Raeed Ali brought Precious Plastic to Fiji, a youth-led and globally recognised social enterprise that collects, sorts, and cleans plastic waste from the coast in the country.

Like many young individuals in Fiji, Raeed actively participated in numerous cleanup campaigns where the collected waste ended up in landfills. However, he realised that this approach merely scratched the surface of the issue and didn't tackle the underlying cause of plastic pollution. Raeed Ali says, "Beach cleanups are only a temporary solution. There's no point in mopping the floor until you turn off the tap."

The lack of an in-depth solution to plastic dumps urged Raeed to start a community project whilst his studies at the University of the South Pacific. 

Finding alternative solutions to plastic waste through Innovative Hubs and Partnerships

In a groundbreaking initiative, UNICEF's wash program has partnered with Raeed to establish a network of Precious Plastic hubs across Fiji. With support from UNICEF's funding, Raeed, the national coordinator, has successfully set up upcycling and recycling centres in Suva, creating convenient drop-off points for local civilians. 

Since their launch, they have collected 30 tons of plastic and redirected over 10 tons from landfills. Employing standard industry machines imported from Precious Plastic hubs in India, they take the process of shredding, melting, and then compressing plastic waste. 

The outcome unfolds into ingeniously crafted and reusable products like braille keyboards and wheelchair fittings. The innovation continues beyond here. Recently, they acquired a mould from India to create durable plastic bricks that could revolutionise the construction business in Fiji. 

His ongoing partnership with the University of the South Pacific supports plastic-related research and development. They are facilitating access to machines approved by Precious Plastic global hub. Currently, they are assisting with their research on utilising toilet waste made of plastic for road and pavement construction. 

Taking a Systemic Approach: Addressing the Root Cause of Plastic Pollution

Raeed Ali's efforts extend beyond Precious Plastic. Co-founding the Alliance for Future Generation (AFG), Fiji's most significant youth-led network for sustainable development. It has a growing number of 500 members, adopting a systemic approach to address complex issues such as plastic waste management.

AFG members engage with local communities and villages in active environmental conservation. They aim to shift the narrative and create impactful change by fostering collective knowledge and resources. 

He adds, “When we start to consider the entire lifecycle of plastic, which is from production to disposal, you start to consider the interconnectedness of the social, the economic, and the environmental factors. This approach helps to find comprehensive solutions that address the root cause of plastic pollution."  

Shifting Perspectives: From Blame to Ownership in Tackling the Plastic Crisis

With that in mind, he provides workshops and resources that could instil people with knowledge and skills to address plastic waste in their community. Funds from Unicef have enabled Raeed and his team to teach over 50,000 Fijian students about plastic recycling. 

This approach not only addresses the problem but generates economic empowerment. By providing training, resources, and market access, marginalised communities can start their plastic recycling businesses, contributing to waste reduction, job creation, and local economic growth.

"Make sure you are part of the solution, not part of the problem. By working together, you will be able to leverage collective knowledge, resources, and expertise to achieve impact wherever you may be," emphasises Raeed. 

This empowerment process aims to create a space for young people to step up as innovators and entrepreneurs, enabling them to bring their fresh perspectives and passion to address the plastic crisis. This approach shifts the focus from blame to ownership, fostering an environment that empowers individuals to take action and make a positive difference.

Expanding Impact: Fundraising for Commercial-Grade Machines and Community Hubs

Attending the One Young World Summit in 2022 increased awareness of Precious Plastic's open-source solution but also highlighted the scale of the plastic waste challenge. Raeed is seeking funds through fundraising and grants to expand its impact.

His aim is to acquire commercial-grade machines capable of processing larger quantities of plastic waste and establish community hubs in Suva and other locations in Fiji, enabling the production of more practical items like plastic bricks and beads for construction.

Through the proactive efforts of Precious Plastic and its collaboration with local organisations and communities, Fiji is witnessing a transformation from how plastic waste is managed to policy changes. The movement brought along systemic changes that prompted the government to ban single-use plastic from January 2020. And as of last year, the government announced a ban on styrofoam. 

This youth-led revolution is making a significant impact by repurposing plastic into valuable products and empowering individuals to take ownership of the problem. As they continue to expand and innovate, the dream of a cleaner, plastic-free future becomes increasingly attainable, inspiring others worldwide to follow suit.

Support Raeed Ali with his effort to expand his effort to tackle plastic pollution, find all the latest updates on his LinkedIn here and stay tuned for his Precious Plastic Fiji Website.