Improvements in Thilafushi waste management site

More than 38% of the population in the Maldives lives in the Greater Male’ Region (Zone 3). Residents of Greater Male’ have suffered from pollution caused by inadequate waste collection and the dumping and burning of waste that compromises the health of residents and the environment. Open dumping and burning of garbage at the 28-year-old, 10-hectare dumpsite on Thilafushi Island (six kilometers from Male’) creates an environmental and public health hazard. In the recent months, marked changes could be observed at the Thilafushi waste management site including construction of waste vessel harbor area and the new waste management facilities by the project. The most significant change is the remediation work of the 28 year old waste pile which has stopped smoke from the pile.