Vunato Disposal Site
Lautoka City Council operates and manages waste disposal services at the Vunato Disposal Site, which serves not only Lautoka City but also surrounding municipalities, rural communities, tourism establishments, and maritime islands.
The facility caters for waste generated from:
- Lautoka City residents and businesses
- Schools, offices, and NGOs
- Nadi Town and surrounding rural areas
- Denarau Island and hotels
- Yasawa, Malolo, and Mamanuca Islands
- Industrial and commercial establishments
The landfill operates using a fully computerized weighbridge system whereby disposal charges are determined based on:
- Weight of waste
- Category of waste
- Origin of waste
Residents are also permitted to dispose of waste directly at the landfill upon payment of a minimal disposal fee.
The average waste intake at the facility was approximately:
- 100 tons per day (pre-COVID-19)
- 75.5 tons per day (post-COVID-19)
The Vunato Disposal Site consists of:
- Six engineered waste disposal cells
- Special waste disposal area
- Green waste disposal and chipping facility
- Composting facility
- Disaster waste disposal facility
Historical Background
The Vunato Disposal Site is located at the northern end of Lautoka City on a state foreshore reserve developed within a mangrove area facing the sea.
The Lautoka Vunato Open Aerobic and Evaporation Dumpsite was officially commissioned in 1968. Initially, the landfill was established to serve the Fiji Sugar Corporation and the citizens of Lautoka City. Since its commissioning, the site has continuously been managed by Lautoka City Council and occupies approximately 50 acres of land.
Location of Vunato Disposal Site
Layout of Vunato Disposal Site
Infrastructure Upgrades and Development
In 1998, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) introduced a pilot 3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) Project for the Lautoka–Nadi corridor. The project significantly improved landfill operations through technical and capital upgrades, including:
- Introduction of a computerized weighbridge system
- Acquisition of heavy machinery including excavators and wood chippers
- Division of the landfill into six disposal cells
- Construction of drainage systems and peripheral embankments
- Establishment of a separate disposal cell for special waste
- Construction of landfill office facilities
- Development of a market waste composting site
- Improvement of primary and secondary road access
- Establishment of green waste disposal and chipping facilities
- Creation of a disaster waste disposal facility
- Drainage and environmental improvements
These developments have enabled Lautoka City Council to manage the disposal site more efficiently, improve environmental management practices, and significantly extend the operational lifespan of the landfill.
Return and Earn Initiative
Lautoka City Council, in partnership with Mission Pacific, continues to promote recycling and environmental sustainability through the Return and Earn Initiative at the Vunato Disposal Site.
The initiative commenced on 22 January 2026 and operates every:
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Friday
Members of the public can bring eligible PET bottles and aluminium cans to the site and receive 5 cents per item.
To qualify for recycling payment, all bottles and cans must be:
- Clean
- Empty
- Suitable for recycling
The initiative aims to reduce littering, encourage recycling, and promote responsible waste management practices throughout Lautoka and surrounding communities.
Tipping Fees and Disposal Charges
The Vunato Disposal Site operates a user-pay waste disposal system whereby disposal charges are determined according to the category, origin, and weight of waste received at the landfill.
Waste Disposal Rates
| Waste Category | Within City Boundary ($/ton) VIP | Outside City Boundary ($/ton) VIP |
|---|---|---|
| Household Waste Collected by Contractors | 22.71 | 31.48 |
| Household Waste – Individual Resident | 10.84 | 13.93 |
| Market Waste | 10.84 | 11.87 |
| Hotel Waste | 25.80 | 31.48 |
| Other Business Waste / Factory General | 30.44 | 39.22 |
| Green Waste / Parks / Drain / Street Sweeping | 10.84 | 13.93 |
| Hospital Ash | 20.64 | 22.71 |
| Condemned Food (Machine Hire $100 per Hour) | 25.80 | 33.54 |
| Special Waste | 45.41 | 55.73 |
| Construction Waste | 25.81 | 33.54 |
| Motor Body / Shell | 45.41 | 55.73 |
| Weighbridge Fee | 20.64 | 22.71 |
The tipping fee system supports the sustainable operation and maintenance of the Vunato Disposal Site, including:
- Waste compaction and disposal operations
- Environmental monitoring and management
- Maintenance of landfill infrastructure and heavy machinery
- Drainage and leachate management
- Long-term landfill sustainability initiatives
Residents, contractors, commercial operators, and businesses are encouraged to dispose of waste responsibly and comply with landfill operational requirements and environmental standards established by Lautoka City Council.
