Environment Minister: 60% of Maldives’ waste problem will be solved by 2023’s end

Environment Minister Aminath Shauna said on Wednesday that approximately 60 percent of the issues linked with the waste produced in Maldives will be solved within the next two years.

She made the comment at the launch of the Greater Male’ Waste-to-Energy Project on Wednesday morning.

The project was launched by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

Speaking at the event, Shauna said that the purpose of the mega USD 304 million project was to make waste a source of income.

“This is the beginning of efforts to put Maldives on this track. I note with pleasure that one this project is complete in the end of 2023, a solution will be established for 60 percent of waste produced in Maldives,” she said.

Shauna said that the waste management system developed under the project will be holistic and sustainable. She said that the project will ensure the protection of Maldives’ seas, and introduce arrangements for sustainable waste management.

“Collecting waste to Thilafushi since 1931. Waste has been unmanaged all this time. We have been heaping waste there without any thought. The landfill has been burning since then and has become a public health hazard. The fires there are never out. The harmful smoke from Thilafushi affect the Male’ area and surrounding islands,” she said.

Shauna said that waste management poses a challenge to countries like Maldives and is costly. She said that given that most of the products used in daily life are imported, waste produced in the country is increasing at a rapid rate.

She said that the project will be will be the biggest environmental contract in Maldives’ history.

“This project will cost USD 304 million. This project will change the very landscape of Thilafushi and lay the foundation to efforts to manage waste in a sustainable manner. 8 to 8.5 megawatts of electricity can be produced by processing 500 tonnes of waste each day. The operational cost of this facility will be covered by recycling and selling the bottom ash from the production of electricity and through other sources,” she said.