“Trashboom is not just a piece of technology; it is a mirror back on us as a society.”
This was the sentiment shared by the Minister for Information, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Lynda Tabuya, while launching the 5th trashboom in Syria Park, Nausori.
Hon. Tabuya said waste found across sites was being deliberately dumped into drains and rivers, describing it as a behavioural issue that must change.
“The waste being trapped is not accidental. It is being dumped into our drains and rivers. This is a behaviour issue, and it must change. If you see it full, it means we are failing to take responsibility,” Hon. Tabuya stated.
Following the launch, Minister Tabuya personally collected waste captured by the trashboom, which included a surprising mix of discarded items from plastic bottles and pipes to children’s toys and even pens. Within minutes, more than one kilogram of waste had been collected from the trashboom, underscoring the volume of rubbish moving through Nausori’s waterways.
Recalling her own upbringing in an informal settlement, the Minister said the waste disposal issue was deeply personal and reflected a wider national development challenge that spans both urban and rural communities.
With the Litter Act to be tabled in Parliament next week for amendment and new regulations being finalised to strengthen enforcement, clarify key definitions, extend coverage, and introduce tougher penalties, including for companies, Minister Tabuya stressed that the Government is acting.
However, the Minister emphasised that infrastructure and laws alone will not solve the issue, pointing instead to the need for a shift in public attitudes.
“Through the ‘Do the Right Thing’ campaign, we are driving behaviour change. We are working with schools, rolling out awareness programmes, piloting bin support where collection exists, and launching a Community Beautification Competition to build civic pride.
“The message is simple. Protecting our environment begins with the choices we make every day. So, let’s dispose our rubbish responsibly.”
The project was delivered through a collaboration between the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, the Government of Japan, UNEP, Trashboom Pacific, municipal councils and community partners.