Greater Male’ and 32 inhabited outer islands in the project lack an organized and sustainable waste management system for over 774 tons per day (tpd) of mixed solid waste they generate.
On 17th of August, 2021, the government Gazettes an amendment to the Waste Management Regulation 2013/R-58. This amendment addresses the current work in progress towards better waste management in Maldives.
One of the main objectives is to introduce a source segregation system in order to reuse or recover waste in order to reduce the amount of residual waste and the impact on the local environment.
The amendment under clause 6 of the regulation states, minimal categories for waste segregation in Male’ City and in all inhabited islands, industrial islands, resorts.
In Male’ City, waste should be sorted into 3 main categories; 1) Organic waste, 2) Plastic and 3) other waste.
In all inhabited islands, industrial Islands and resorts, waste should be sorted into 4 categories, namely; 1) Organic waste ;2) Plastic, 3) metal and Glass, 4) other waste.
The amendment also highlights a fifth category, that is, Bulky waste such as furniture, household appliances etc.). WAMCO has introduced a special call service for Bulky waste collection in Male’ City.
The waste segregation categories mentioned above and does not limit the Island Councils from introducing additional waste segregation categories.