ITEMS such as needles and drug paraphernalia are regularly collected from rivers and creeks at sites where trashbooms are installed.
This was raised by Trashboom Pacific founder Wayne Fuakilau while highlighting the ongoing concerns about pollution and improper waste disposal practices.
“In each collection, we find about three needles, two sniffing glues and around three bong bottles,” he said.
Mr Fuakilau said the areas these items were mostly found were Nadi Town, Bailey Bridge and Nubukalou Creek in Suva.
“This was very surprising for us, and it highlights a serious issue.”
While speaking to this newspaper, he said strict safety measures had been implemented, including the use of protective suits and gloves, particularly in high-risk areas.
Collections are carried out weekly at sites such as Bailey Bridge and Nabua Creek, while other locations are serviced on a fortnightly or monthly basis depending on need.
He said the systems, which had been in operation for about 12 months, were capturing a wide range of waste.
“We find baby diapers, dead fish, animal remains and other types of waste.”
He said the presence of such items pointed to deeper issues upstream, including illegal dumping, poor waste disposal practices and gaps in municipal services.
“The true measure of success is not how much waste we collect, but how little reaches our waterways in the first place.”
He said addressing the issue required a collaborative approach involving government agencies, communities and the media.
