Vunato Disposal Site
Lautoka City Council operates and manages waste disposal services from its facility at Vunato. The landfill caters to the whole of Lautoka City (citizens, businesses, schools, offices, NGOs, hotels, etc), the whole of Nadi Town, rural areas towards Ba and Nadi, Islands (Yasawa, Malolo, Mamamuca), Denarau (all Hotels), etc.
The landfill has a fully computerized weighbridge system whereby disposal fees are charged based on the weight of waste, category of waste and origin of wastes. Residents can also dispose of their wastes directly at landfills by paying a minimal fee. Waste disposal rate averages 100 tons /day (pre-covid 19) and 75.5 ton (post-covid 19). The facility has a total of six waste disposal cells, a special waste disposal area, a green waste disposal/chipping area and a composting facility.
Vunato disposal site is located at the north end of Lautoka City developed in the mangrove facing the sea on a state foreshore reserve. The Lautoka Vunato Open Aerobic and Evaporation dumpsite was commissioned during the year 1968. Initially, the landfill was to serve Fiji Sugar Corporation and Lautoka City citizens. Since its commissioning, the Aerobic dumpsite has been managed by Lautoka City Council and has a total area of 50 acres.
Japan International Cooperation Agency in 1998 introduced a pilot ‘3R’ project for the Lautoka and Nadi corridor. The inception of the project has seen capital and technical upgrade at the dumpsite as follows:
- Introduction of Weighbridge
- Introduction of Machinery including Excavator (Kato) and wood chipper
- Division of the site into 6 cells and separation through drains with consistent natural water flow. Development of periphery banks and dividers and 1 separate cell for disposal of special waste.
- Construction of office site.
- Development of market waste compost site
- Improvement of road access (primary/secondary)
- Green Waste disposal and chipping facility
- Disaster Waste Disposal Facility
- Drainage improvements
The upgrade has seen Council being able to manage the dumpsite more effectively. This has further allowed the dumpsite life span to be extended.
Location of Vunato Disposal Site
Layout of Vunato Disposal Site
Operation Method
The dump is managed under the Open Aerobic Evaporation System. This basically means that waste is spread across each cell/section until the height of 75 cm is reached. There are 6 sections at the site and 1 cell takes about 2 months to reach a height of 75 cm.
Once 75cm height of the waste pile is achieved across the cell, the cell is closed for disposal and is left to rehabilitate naturally for 8 months to 1 year depending on the need. The next cell is then used similarly and the process is continued.
The landfill tipping fee is tabulated below:
| No. | Category of Waste | Dumping Fee per Ton for City Area (VIP) ($) | Revised Dumping Fee per Ton for Outside City Area (VIP) ($) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Household Waste (collected by council’s contractor/private contractors) | 22.00 | 30.50 |
| 2 | Household waste – General [Individual resident and direct haulage] | 10.50 | 13.50 |
| 3 | Market Waste | 10.50 | 13.50 |
| 4 | Hotel Waste | 25.00 | 30.50 |
| 5 | Other Business waste/Factory Waste General/Others | 29.50 | 38.00 |
| 6 | Green Waste/Park Waste/ Drain/Street Sweeping Waste | 10.50 | 13.50 |
| 7 | Hospital Ash | 20.00 | 22.00 |
| 8 | Condemned food | 25.00 | 32.50 |
| 9 | Special Waste | 44.00 | 54.00 |
| 10 | Construction Waste | 25.00 | 32.50 |
| 11 | Motor Body/Shell | 44.00 | 54.00 |
| 12 | Weighbridge Fees | 20.00 per vehicle weigh | 22.00 per truck weigh |
| Note: Additional cost of $100.00/load is applicable for wastes such as condemned food, special wastes, hospital ash which require burial and heavy machinery | |||
