Not all plastics pose the same risks, and not all are necessary. Some are problematic because they can harm human health or the environment throughout their life cycle. Others are avoidable because their use can be reduced through safer alternatives, better product design or reuse. In Fiji, these products add to our waste burden and too often end up polluting our streets, drains, rivers, coastlines and ocean.
The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, in partnership with the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme – SPREP, through the Australian Government-funded convened a targeted stakeholder scoping workshop in Suva this week to explore options for strengthening controls on problematic and avoidable plastic products entering Fiji’s economy.
As a net importer of plastics, Fiji faces the challenge of managing products and packaging manufactured elsewhere. Plastic pollution continues to affect our communities, livelihoods and marine environment, highlighting the need to prevent pollution before it occurs.
The workshop follows a Cabinet directive for the Ministry to undertake a comprehensive assessment of plastic bans in Fiji and return with the implications and recommendations.
The Ministry emphasised that the workshop was a scoping exercise, not a consultation to approve new bans or finalise a list of prohibited products. Its purpose was to share work undertaken to date and seek feedback on a comprehensive, phased approach to regulating imports of problematic and avoidable plastics, supported by domestic controls.
Technical work presented by the University of New South Wales (UNSW) Centre for Sustainable Development Reform included a review of 78 regulatory instruments across 35 jurisdictions and a preliminary shortlist of 41 plastic products. Stakeholders considered priority products for further assessment, including plastic straws, plates, cups, cutlery and confetti.
Discussions examined regulatory options including import restrictions, bans, levies, product standards and product stewardship. Participants also considered the safety, affordability and sustainability of alternatives, including concerns around biodegradable plastics and opportunities for natural substitutes.
Other issues raised included product testing, cost-benefit assessments, appropriate exemptions, longer transition periods and support for businesses moving towards sustainable alternatives. Strengthened enforcement and training were also identified as important.
The workshop builds on the Ministry’s existing plastic bag and polystyrene controls, strengthened litter enforcement, school and community awareness initiatives, and ongoing reforms involving Product Stewardship Scheme legislation and Container Deposit Regulations.
It also supports the National Development Plan 2025–2029 and the National Waste Management and Pollution Control Strategy 2026–2035, which prioritise waste prevention, resource recovery and stronger pollution control.
Other ongoing initiatives include Fiji’s National Plastics Inventory, plastics value chain assessments, the Circular Plastics Roadmap, Trashboom Programme and pollution monitoring.
At the international level, this work also prepares Fiji for potential legally binding global measures to address problematic and avoidable plastics under a future plastics treaty.
The next steps will include further engagement with industry and private sector stakeholders, assessment of alternatives, regulatory impact analysis and wider consultations. Particular attention will be given to ensuring that proposed measures are practical and affordable for households, small businesses and maritime communities.
The Ministry’s approach is to move beyond managing plastic waste after it is generated and towards preventing pollution at its source. The aim is to protect Fiji’s environment and public health while supporting sustainable alternatives, local economic opportunities and a fair transition for businesses and communities.