Patara supports Clean up Fiji Campaign

Suva, FIJI -- September 16, 2006 -- Patara staff, management and friends joined the Clean up Fiji campaign as part of the global Clean up the World campaign. Clean Up the World is a community based environmental program that inspires and empowers individuals and communities from every corner of the globe to clean up, fix up and conserve their environment.

Now in its 14th year, Clean Up the World, held in conjunction with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), mobilises over 35 million volunteers from more than 100 countries annually, making it one of the largest community-based environmental campaigns in the world. The campaign brings together businesses, community groups, schools, governments and individuals in a range of activities and programs that positively improve local environments.

The Patara Clean up Fiji Team assembled early in the morning on Saturday and were outfitted with bags and gloves. The target area was Princes Road from the junction of Kaba Road up to the junction of Ragg Avenue, Tamavua. Princes Road is the main road in Tamavua linking Suva to Nausori, and is one of the busiest roads in the greater Suva area.

The Patara Team was split into two with each focusing on the left and right side of the road, respectively. With an overcast day, the team was spared the sun's heat and made good progress with the target area cleaned up in around two hours. Around forty-eight bags of rubbish were collected and handed over to a Suva City Council garbage disposal truck which accompanied the Team most of the time. With the truck present, the Patara Team also managed to clear a lot of garden refuse piled up on the roadside.

The amount of rubbish collected surprised all and it was amazing to see the amount and type of rubbish discarded by people on the streets. The environment should be everyone's concern and all it takes is a little bit of responsibility to help ensure our environment is taken care of and sustained for future generations.

In true Patara tradition, the Clean up campaign was followed by a social event for staff with a fine lovo (traditional Fijian earth oven) meal and drinks which lasted well into the early evening.