This study of solid waste management in the Rewa Province is an attempt to better
understand rural solid waste management issues and to identify key management strategies
that may be suitable for rural areas located in close proximity to urban waste collection
systems. The report also identifies key strategies that rural areas farther away from urban
centres, or on outer islands, could adopt in their effort to better manage solid waste. The
study will also help identify key elements of a rural waste management strategy.
The specific objectives of the project are to:
1. Estimate the economic costs of the current liquid and solid waste management
systems in the Rewa Province, including health and amenity costs and foregone
earnings from not improving the management of this waste (through activities such
as composting, recycling and proper disposal).
2. Identify and evaluate alternative waste management options for two categories of
villages: (a) those close to urban/peri urban solid waste collection and disposal
systems, and (b) more remote villages (areas where it is not financially feasible to
link with an urban collection and disposal system).
3. Undertake an analysis of the financial and economic feasibility of extending the
IWP-trialed solid waste collection and disposal system for Vunisinu to other rural
villages and settlements in the Rewa Province.
4. Contribute practical information to assist the National Solid Waste Management
Strategy develop clear waste management tools and targets to improve the
management of solid waste in Fiji’s rural areas.
5. Assist MOE staff to prepare a well-argued paper Cabinet Discussion Paper on rural
solid waste management systems based on the results of the study on Rewa
Province, prepared in partnership with rural communities, MOE staff and other
stakeholders.
6. Help increase the capacity of the MOE and locally appointed project staff in
economic research and analytical skills.
Section 2 describes the methodology used in this study, followed by a description of
current waste generation and waste management in Rewa Province. Section 3 addresses
waste management options, while Section 4 examines the financial feasibility of a waste
collection and disposal system similar to the system used for the IWP pilot project village,
Vunisinu. In Section 5, key elements of a rural waste management policy are described,
which have been included in the Ministry’s Cabinet Discussion Paper.