Global Vision International (GVI) has been working with the ‘Daughters of Charity’ who have been sharing the success of their initiative in Indonesia with us here in Fiji. The ‘Daughters of Charity’ have developed some impressive ‘up-cycling’ programs to generate income from recycled products.
Collect your Packets
Cleaned and prepared plastic packaging (chips, cookies, crackers, noodle, etc) are woven into beautiful bags and purses that are available for purchase for around FJ$15-25. You may come across them in boutique shops and resorts around the country.
Women Preparing the Packets
If you would like to go one step further with your onboard recycling, you can collect such plastic wrappers, and when you reach mainland, post them to PO Box 480, Pacific Harbour. We will pass them on to GVI-Fiji who will ensure they reach the women’s groups who will then turn your packets into purses!
Another project of GVI-Fiji has seen them helping to promote Nadi Town Council’s initiative with local women’s groups to create ‘Eco Bags’ from the otherwise discarded off-cuts from fabric manufacturers in Nadi. These beautifully colourful tote bags are designed and sewn by local women as sustainable alternatives to plastic carrier bags and available from the Nadi Town Council Office on the main street in Nadi for FJ$5.
The finished product on display
In Suva both the Eco Bags and the woven ‘trash purses’ can be found in the Flea Market opposite the bus station.
Dawn Czarny says
Hello – I would like to know who I can contact about this initiative in Fiji? I was there on vacation and found one of the bags in a local store. I would like to support but purchasing more. Who can I speak with?