Fiji could further stamp its position as the hub of the Pacific.

The Asian Development Bank is launching a new initiative on the solid waste that could see Fiji set up as a recycling plant to assist other Pacific countries.

ADB’s Pacific Department Director, Emma Veve says Pacific Island countries are the most vulnerable when it comes to plastic pollution and its effects on the ocean.

Veve says innovative approaches need to be taken to be able to tackle the plastic crisis.

“The potential for using Pacific countries as hubs for recycling, a small island nation like Tuvalu with 10, 000 people is never going to be able to sustainably manage a recycling program, but perhaps sending it to another country like Fiji could help to strengthen the region as a whole’s ability to make the most of its resources that it does have and protect the oceans at the same time.”

The ADB’s funding support for the Pacific member countries has been doubled to effectively support the key areas of climate change, ocean health, gender equality and renewable energy to name a few.