Recyclable waste is generally dry in nature and can be separated into distinct major categories such as plastics, aluminum, metal, glass etc. One way that the solid waste is treated is by reclaiming the raw materials in the waste stream and reusing them to make new products. In Maldives, there are few companies, NGO’s and individuals who reclaim recyclables and send it abroad for recycling.
Material recovery for recycling reduces the amount of waste that are burned, buried or thrown into the ocean. It also takes some pressure off of the environment by reducing the need for new resources, such as paper and metals. The overall process of creating a new process from a reclaimed, recycled material also uses less energy than the creation of a product using new materials.
There are a lot of materials in the waste stream – such as tires, plastic, paper, glass, and electronics – that can be recycled. Most recycled products fall within four key groups: metal, plastic, paper, and glass.
Metal: The metal in most aluminum and steel cans is 100 percent recyclable, meaning that it can be completely reused over and over again to make new cans.
Plastic: Plastic is made from the solid materials, or resins, left over after oil (a fossil fuel) has been refined to make gasoline. These resins are then heated and stretched or molded to make everything from bags to bottles to jugs. These plastics are easily collected from the waste stream and converted into new products.
Paper: Most paper products can only be recycled a few times as recycled paper is not as strong or sturdy as virgin materials. But for every metric ton of paper that is recycled, 17 trees are saved from logging operations.
Glass: Glass is one of the easiest materials to recycle and reuse because it can be melted down over and over again. It is also less expensive to make glass from recycled glass than it is to make it from new materials because the recycled glass can be melted at a lower temperature.
The amendment made to the waste management regulation sets out plan to improve material recovery for recycling. From January 2021, it is mandatory for all islands and resorts to segregate waste into 4 categories. In Male’ City, it would be mandatory to segregate waste into 3 streams, starting from June 2022. Specific instructions have also been passed on to take special care to wash recyclable materials such as plastics bottles and metal cans before disposal.
Changes to waste disposal and management system established by the project would assist the companies and individual who collect recyclable materials. Recycling is beneficial to the economy and the environment.