Praneeta Prakash 
Residents of Tailevu now have easier access to recycling with the opening of a new Return & Earn Fiji collection center at Korovou Market.
The center is expected to increase the recovery of plastic bottles and aluminium cans while reducing litter across communities in the Tailevu corridor.
The Korovou facility is the 15th Return & Earn collection center in Fiji and the third within the Nausori Town Council municipality, following sites at Manoca Depot and Nakasi Market.
Return & Earn Fiji representative Dwain Qalovaki says the expansion comes as the programme records strong participation in the municipality.
He says Manoca Depot and Nakasi Market alone recovered 181,909 beverage containers in August.
This included 63,019 plastic bottles and 118,890 aluminium cans.
Qalovaki says the figures demonstrate that people are more likely to recycle when collection points are located close to their homes, workplaces and shopping areas.
He says the new Korovou center will allow more households, schools, businesses and community groups to earn refunds while contributing to cleaner communities.
Nausori Town Council Special Administrator Paula Navunisaravi says the three collection centers are also creating income opportunities for families, students, community groups, faith-based organizations and businesses.
He says the council will continue supporting initiatives that promote responsible waste management and greater community participation.
The expansion comes as Return & Earn Fiji reports that more than 7.5 million beverage containers were recovered through its network during the first six months of 2026.
The programme currently operates across eight municipalities and is continuing to expand its collection network across Fiji.
