Fiji has taken an important step towards strengthening sustainable waste management and resource recovery through the initiation of national consultations on the Draft Product Stewardship Bill and Container Deposit Regulations.
The draft Product Stewardship Bill seeks to establish a stronger framework for producers, importers, retailers, consumers and other stakeholders to take greater responsibility for the environmental impacts of products placed on the market.
With technical and financial assistance from the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) under the GEF ISLANDS Pacific Project, consultations were held in Labasa for northern division stakeholders on 17 August 2026, Suva for the central division on 19 August, and Lautoka for the Western Division 21 August 2026.
The national consultation facilitated by MECC and SPREP brought together government agencies, private-sector stakeholders, waste operators, industry representatives, civil society, communities, and other key stakeholders to review and provide input into the proposed legislative framework.
Ms. Senimili Baleicakau, Director of Environment, Fiji's Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, highlighted the importance of the Product Stewardship Bill and Container Deposit Regulations.
“The introduction of the Product Stewardship Scheme by the ministry contributes to Fiji’s broader efforts to advance sustainable consumption and production, strengthen national waste management systems and support the nation’s transition towards a more resource-efficient and circular economy,” she said.