Key facts
- Fiji has rejected a proposal by Australian businessmen Ian Malouf and Rob Cromb to ship waste for energy production.
- The project aimed to ship up to 900,000 tonnes of non-recyclable rubbish annually to Fiji.
- Concerns cited include increased emissions, hazardous ash management, public health risks, and impacts on tourism and the environment.
- Fijian officials stated the decision was not against investment but due to unmanageable risks.
- Opponents labeled the proposal 'waste imperialism' and noted it could breach a 1998 convention prohibiting hazardous waste shipment to Pacific islands.
Fiji has officially rejected a controversial proposal by Australian businessmen Ian Malouf and Rob Cromb to ship waste to the island nation for incineration and energy production. The decision, announced by Fiji's government, cites significant concerns regarding the project's scale, potential environmental impacts, public health risks, and its effect on the nation's tourism industry. Ambassador Filipo Tarakinikini stated that Fiji must not become the 'Pacific's ashtray,' reflecting widespread local opposition to the plan, which has been dubbed 'waste imperialism.'
The proposal, put forth by Malouf, who made his fortune in waste disposal, and Cromb, involved shipping up to 900,000 tonnes of non-recyclable rubbish annually to Fiji. The businessmen claimed the project could meet 40% of Fiji's electricity needs and reduce reliance on diesel. However, an environmental impact statement released by their company, Next Generation Holding (TNG), indicated the project could increase Fiji's emissions by up to 25%.
Local communities and environmental groups voiced strong opposition. Traditional landowner Inoke Tora highlighted the potential contamination of the food chain and the impact on local livelihoods. Ambassador Tarakinikini warned of ash residue and dioxins contaminating the food chain. Critics also pointed out that the project might breach a 1998 convention signed by Australia, which prohibits the export of hazardous waste to Pacific island countries.
Fiji's secretary for the environment, Sivendra Michael, clarified that the rejection was not a stance against investment but due to the department's inability to adequately assess or manage the project's potential impacts and risks. Malouf had previously faced similar rejections for a waste-to-energy incinerator in Sydney in 2018 due to health concerns.
While waste-to-energy projects are being developed in Asia to manage waste and produce energy, they have faced public backlash. A 2025 monitoring operation of a plant in Surabaya, Indonesia, by environmental group Walhi, found frequent breaches of air quality limits, with PM2.5 and PM10 levels exceeding safety thresholds, particularly during incinerator operation. This Indonesian example underscores the challenges in balancing waste disposal with rising greenhouse gas emissions and potential health risks.