Fiji

Details

In 2010, the United Nations Development Programme published a feasibility project report on a potential container deposit scheme in Fiji, determining a high potential for such a scheme to succeed under the legal framework of the Environmental Management Act 2005. The study stated that over 50 million beverage containers are consumed in Fiji, with the vast majority going “to landfill, – at the cost of the government – burnt in small fires, or become litter with associated pollution impacts.” [3] The report outlined the framework for a deposit scheme that the Fijian government could adopt, in line with similar programs in South Australia and British Columbia, Canada. [4] The scheme was passed in finalized in September 2011, with a compulsory deposit being placed on all beverage containers in the county. [5]

Although Fiji’s deposit scheme was passed in 2011, the Fijian government only announced its implementation in 2021. However, the scheme has yet to be implemented as of August 2026. 

Return & Earn

While Fiji has not implemented a formal mandatory DRS yet, the country introduced Return & Earn Fiji on January 1, 2026. [6] Return & Earn is a nonprofit, voluntary buy-back program operated and funded by eight beverage companies in the country. The program accepts eligible PET plastic bottles and aluminum beverage cans of any brand and buys them back for FJ$0.05 per container. [7] However, unlike a mandatory DRS, however, the 5 cents is not a deposit paid by the consumer at purchase. Instead, it is a payment made when the container is returned that is funded through participating Return & Earn beverage companies. 

The Fiji Government met with Return & Earn in June 2026 to discuss a potential “formal partnership,” although no formal partnership appears to have been established yet. [8] 

Footnotes

[1] “Container deposit legislation being developed.” Tadulala, Koroi. Fijian Broadcasting Corporation. September 9, 2020.

[2] Ibid.

[3] “Creation of a Deposit and Refund Beverage Container Recycling System in Fiji.” United Nations Development Programme Fiji Multi-Country Office. Published 2010.

[4] Ibid.

[5] “Compulsory Beverage Container Deposit to be introduced to Fiji soon.” Communications Fiji Limited. September 30, 2011.

[6] “800K for Return & Earn centres nationwide.” The Fiji Times. December 22, 2025. 

[7] “PET for Cash Returns.” The Fiji Times. October 22, 2025; updated January 24, 2026. 

[8] “Government and Return & Earn Fiji Explore Formal Partnership.” Ministry of Environment and Climate Change. June 26, 2026. 

Last updated: 8/27/26