Noa with members of the Sema group, joined by Columban parish priest Father Vincent Ratnam and Pacific Recycling Foundation representative Shivanjali Singh. - Photo: Noa Mervyn Tuivunilagi
The 2025–2026 Fiji National Budget, though not immediately obvious to all, appears to prioritize landfill expansion over recycling, allocating $2.36 million for a new cell at the Naboro Waste Disposal Facility while leaving communities to lead recycling initiatives themselves. Fijian parliamentarian Inia Seruiratu also criticized the budget during deliberations, highlighting its lack of climate-smart investments.
Community-run recycling efforts now stand at an uneasy crossroads, including the initiative led by Sema from St Pius X Parish in Raiwaqa, a Columban parish. On August 21, 2025, the JPIC Ministry visited Raiwaqa Parish, meeting with Father Vincent Ratnam and the people who have mobilized Sema; Emily, Claire, Nani and a few men, to explore ways of strengthening the parish’s recycling initiatives and building on the important work already being done.
Sema, a livelihood program supported by the Columban’s since its inception five years ago, has engaged its 12 members in a range of recycling-based activities, from running a nursery to weaving baskets out of newspapers and repurposing household items into saleable goods. The group has also fundraised to support the wider parish community, yet, like many community-driven initiatives, it continues to face the familiar challenge of limited access to resources.
In recognition of these efforts, and in collaboration with the Pacific Recycling Foundation, the parish could be supported with a facility that allows for rubbish segregation. Joining the encounter on the day was Shivanjali from the Pacific Recycling Foundation, who carried out an assessment of the parish’s current waste management systems and discussed how these could be developed further.
The JPIC Ministry looks forward to planning programs that build on this momentum, linking care for creation with the wider mission of justice and peace. In this journey, we also warmly acknowledge the support of Father Vincent, the parish priest, in the important work of Sema.
Noa Mervyn Tuivunilagi
Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) Coordinator (Region of Oceania)
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