Students turn recycling into rewards

Students are turning recycling into a learning opportunity and a source of income through a community-driven partnership between Return & Earn Fiji, Vuda District School and an environmental advocate.

The Lautoka school is among the latest to join the programme, encouraging students to collect and return beverage containers for recycling.

Head of school Semiti Wanono said the initiative provided practical lessons while teaching students the importance of recycling and caring for their surroundings.

"We are thankful for this initiative because not only have we seen so much enthusiasm from the students, but kids also learn to be responsible citizens and take accountability for their surroundings," Mr Wanono said.

Return & Earn Fiji representative Dwain Qalovaki said the programme had increased the collection of plastic beverage bottles and aluminium cans while raising environmental awareness among students and their families.

"The initiative is delivering strong results by increasing the collection of plastic bottles and aluminium cans, raising awareness among students and families, and making recycling a regular community practice," Mr Qalovaki said.

The school's participation was also driven by environmental advocate Patti Maliu, a Hawaiian national who hopes to see Fiji's environment better protected.

Ms Maliu said the amount of rubbish she saw along Fiji's coastline and in its waters motivated her to act.

"In Hawaii, the system is efficient. You can hardly see any rubbish lying around," she said.

"I first tried introducing this project in Viseisei Village, but it didn't work out. I realised the children would embrace it, so I approached the school's headmaster, Semiti Wanono."

Ms Maliu said she noticed large amounts of plastic and other rubbish while sailing to Fiji.

"It's not nice to see so much rubbish along the shoreline and in the ocean. Through this initiative, these students are not only earning money for every sack they fill, but they are also learning valuable lessons about protecting the environment," she said.