Development of waste management model for small island communities: a case study of Koroipita, Fiji

Effective and sustainable waste management is essential to curb the burgeoning waste issues. Small island communities such as Koroipita Model Town (KMT) are not spared from this calamity. As such, this study evaluates the current household waste management practices in KMT to identify gaps and challenges faced by the management and residents, and to develop a community waste management model. Consequently, a site survey together with a household survey via a questionnaire was conducted. Almost all households discarded organic waste (92.3%), plastics (89.3%), and recyclable plastic waste (85.7%). Considering the waste discard percentage levels of greater than 30, it again shows that organic waste (35.7%), plastics (32.1%), and recyclable plastic waste (31.1%) were the most discarded waste in KMT. Additionally, the household survey shows that the majority of the residents (74%) practiced household separation in adherence to the KMT occupancy rules. However, 10.7% of surveyed households did not have adequate bins for segregating waste and utilized plastic bags, empty cartons, and sacks as substitutes. The main impetus for improper waste disposal was the irresponsible attitude toward discarding rubbish. The learnings are used to develop a community-driven, inclusive, integrated, and interwoven waste management model. The proposed waste management model requires a concerted community effort and buy-in as the first step, together with an initial assessment and survey, followed by tailor-made strategies to reduce, reuse, recycle, and upcycle the waste contingent upon the resources and know-how of the respective communities. This proposed waste management model could be easily adopted and up-scaled in other communities.