The law governing the protection of the environment is the Environmental Protection and Preservation Act (EPPA) of 1993 (Act No 4/93). This sets out the principles for sustaining and extending the benefits of the environment of the Maldives, including waste management. EPPA confers powers on ME to issue regulations and formulate policies for environmental protection and preservation.

Government of Maldives developed the National Solid Waste Management Policy in 2008.It was then revised and adapted in 2015. The policy recognizes that a national approach to waste management in the Maldives has been lacking, resulting in inequity in governance and resources in terms of both capacity and infrastructure.

The Waste Management Regulation of the Maldives- 2013/R-58 was gazette on 5th August 2013. The regulation is implemented by the Environmental Protection Agency. This regulation focus on the following: 1. Waste management standards: Defines standards for waste collection, transfer, treatment, storage, waste site management, landfills and managing hazardous waste; 2. Waste management Permits: Defines approval procedures for waste sites; 3. Waste transfer: Standards and permits required for waste transport on land and sea, including trans-boundary movements; 4. Reporting requirements: Defines reporting and monitoring requirements and procedures; and 5. Enforcement: Defines procedures to implement WRM and penalties for non-compliance. There have been subsequent amendments to the Regulation of which the latest is the 5 amendment included sections on producer responsibility and waste segregation.