Page 24 - IB January 2024

Renewable Energy

GALOA WOMEN TURNING

TRASH TO CASH

By Kite Pareti

In Fiji, a group of 15 dedicated
women has been doing their part
to create a circular economy by
turning plastic trash into cash for
the last four years. Based in the
coastal village of Galoa, the Bulikula
Women’s Plastics Group was formed
after a week-long training at the
Deuba Christian Camp.
With support from the United
Nations Development Programme
(UNDP) and the Pacific Tourism
Organisation (SPTO), the women
have been trained in making
jewellery and household decorations
from various plastics that are
“thrown around carelessly”. The
training was conducted by creative
consultant, Warwick Marlow, who
has helped several other Pacific
women groups earn a living from the
trade.
“Our trainer is of another level. He uses the small cuttings beach or inside the bus when I see them, and I put them
to make cups and he showed us how to do it,” Udite Taukei inside my bag. I use my skills and imagination to turn these
said proudly. The 66-year-old is the leader of the group and bottles into earrings or necklaces. I can also make wind
the spouse of the village chief. “I thank UNDP and SPTO chimes. I make plastic fish, turtles and flowers combined with
for allowing us to take up this project. Apart from the plastic straws, bottle tops and shells in my free time,” Wati
training, we were also provided with the necessary tools and told Islands Business.
equipment to make the plastic jewellery and decorations.” The youngest member of the group is Vasiti Kawau who
The women meet every Thursday at their community hall is 36 years old. “As a single mum, I am very grateful to use
where they share creative ways in making and selling their these skills and gain meaningful work,” she said. She makes
items. Taukei said the women mainly use VaiWai bottles earrings, necklaces and wind chimes of different kinds.
because “it’s colorful and it stands out.” “We also use other Her products were in high demand at a recent event. “We
plastic bottles… Fiji Water… Coke… and there is little wastage attended the World Ocean Day in Suva and I was surprised
from the bottles we use,” she said. The price for their to see many wanting our products when they visited our
products range from as little as FJ$5 to as much as FJ$20. display.” Kawau said she sold all her products in half an hour
Loata Wati, who is 48 years old, is also a member of the and earned FJ$150 that day.
group. She shared that “this project has made me realise my “I am very happy because that is my handiwork. I may not
hidden talents which I can use to earn a living.” From the be able to ask customers for their feedback but I just observe
working tools provided, Wati has been able to make earrings and admire them for wearing it,” Kawau said. “The collection
and necklaces to sell to customers at nearby hotels. The and reusing of plastics have allowed us to earn money and
money earned from the sales goes towards her family needs. keep our beaches, sea and our village clean.”
“This is a container that stores oil for trucks. They are of The Bulikula Women’s Plastics Group plan to diversify their
different colours. Some are black and some yellow in colour. products and are looking forward to share their knowledge
This is from the Scoop ice cream container. This is VaiWai and and skills in Fiji and Samoa in the near future.
this one is Sprite... and these are all made from Shampoo
containers,” Wati explains while pointing out her products. reporter@islandsbusiness.com
“When I look for empty bottles, I collect them from the

24 Islands Business, January 2024