Children led the effort to protect Fiji’s environment today as members of the Suva Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints took part in a community clean-up at Suva Point.

The children made up the majority of participants who helped clean the foreshore, collecting a wide range of waste including recyclable materials, discarded household items, and automotive and industrial waste.

Minister for Environment and Climate Change Lynda Tabuya joined the children and church members and handed over recyclable bags, gloves and hand sanitisers to support the initiative.

Tabuya said much of the rubbish found along the foreshore was left behind by people picnicking in the area, while other waste was carried downstream through rivers and streams before reaching the sea.

“When you’re dumping your rubbish in the rivers, they end up in the sea and then get washed up onto the Suva foreshore. So please Fiji, keep your rubbish where they belong and that is in your bins, and dispose of them properly,” she said.

The Minister stressed that protecting Fiji’s natural environment requires a collective effort, with communities playing an important role in reducing waste and keeping waterways and coastal areas clean.

The clean-up is also seen as an opportunity to instil environmental responsibility among children and encourage them to become advocates for cleaner, healthier communities.