In line with global trends, waste has been growing in high volumes in the Maldives as well. Effective waste management is especially challenging in the Maldives given the large spread in islands, while the impacts are acute for the environmentally dependent tourism and fishery industries.

Government is currently pursuing a model of regional waste management whereby a regional center is allocated in each region to which waste from individual islands are transferred for treatment and disposal. Currently, there are 3 regional waste centres in operation.

The proposed project aims to strengthen the Government’s RRR approach (Reduce, Recycle, Reuse); sort waste locally and transport to regional waste centres and continue the move to implementation of minimal use of plastic products, especially single-use bottles.

Key components of the project include:

• Design and build a regional waste management facility for final treatment of waste from islands in Huvadhoo atoll
• Establish a transport link between the islands in the atoll and the regional facility
• Awareness and educational programs
• Assistance for developing a nationwide strategy, policy interventions and action plan to reduce single-use plastic