SUVA, March 18 (Xinhua) -- The Fijian government will strengthen nationwide programs for the recycling of organic waste within household backyards as the Fijian capital Suva alone generates about 69 tons of waste daily.

Fiji's Minister for Agriculture, Rural and Maritime Development, Waterways and Environment Mahendra Reddy announced this program during the celebrations of the Global Recycling Day held in Lami town, five-minute drive from Suva on Monday.

He said wastes and pollution have been identified as one of the greatest threats to sustainable development in the Pacific island region such as Fiji.

With the increasing population and economic activities, Fiji is confronted by a challenge to properly manage different kinds of waste streams, he said.

Reddy mentioned a study of the Asian Development Bank titled "Solid Waste Management in the Pacific study," noting that Suva alone generated 65-68 tons of waste per day, of which 80 percent was organic waste and 16 percent was paper and cardboard wastes.

"We, jointly with the Ministry of Agriculture, will mount a nationwide program of recycling organic wastes within our backyards rather than sending it to the dump sites. This could be an example of a self-sustaining system which is practical and should be based primarily on the sound principles of waste avoidance and minimization," Reddy said.

"Therefore, I am urging all household heads not to send organic or green waste to dump sites but rather, leave it at a spot to degenerate before applying it to gardens thus converting wastes to provide nutrients for plant growth."

Reddy called on youths to take the leading role in the recycling movement.