Participants of the waste management training at Xavier College.- Photo: Noa Tuivunilagi
In Laudato Si, Pope Francis warns against the perils of consumerism and calls us to live simply, within our means. He reminds us that a “less is more” approach is necessary to ensure peace with creation. Jesus through the Parable of the Rich Fool in Luke 12:13-21, he warns us to “be on guard against all kinds of greed" and states that "life does not consist in an abundance of possessions."
In the most recent report from the Fiji Bureau of Statistics (FBoS), our nation now generates nearly 200,000 tonnes of waste annually. Of this, a staggering 144,000 tonnes end up in landfills, and over 54,000 tonnes are burned. Most concerning is that a mere 477 tonnes, a dismal 0.2% of total waste, is recycled.
This reality is unsustainable for an island nation like Fiji, made even more critical by our inadequate waste management infrastructure. This reality stresses the urgent need to live more consciously, to choose simplicity, and to make the necessary effort to recycle, reuse, and repurpose – avoiding an abundance in possessions.
On Friday, September 19, 2025, students and staff from Xavier College, Ba, participated in a waste management training session. This training complemented the work of the school's existing environmental action group, which, with the support of dedicated staff like School Manager Ms Margie Muller and Madam Melania, actively promotes environmental programs and protection within the school. The Columban Fathers have long supported these programs, a partnership that began during their ministry in Ba.
The session began by connecting the practice of recycling to Catholic spirituality and Laudato Si'. This approach framed our responsibility to care for creation as an act of faith, reminding us that recycling is not just an environmental action but a spiritual one, too.
As part of an ongoing collaboration between Pacific Recycling Foundation (PRF) and Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) efforts, students were provided with waste management training, focusing primarily on segregation to simplify the recycling process. The training also included an awareness session to educate students on the current state of our waste management facilities and highlight why recycling is important. One of the teachers present commented on the importance of these training sessions in all catholic schools, noting that they are crucial for aligning our faith with practical, proactive solutions.
The success of this program would not have been realised without the unwavering support and commitment of the students and staff of Xavier College, years of developing this partnership through our Partnerships Coordinator; Adi Mariana Waqa and the collaboration with the Pacific Recycling Foundation (PRF). By embracing a faith-based approach to a simpler life, we hope that the students will now be able to apply these valuable skills not only within their school but also in their wider communities.
Noa Mervyn Tuivunilagi
Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) Coordinator (Region of Oceania)
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