USAID launches Ocean Plastics Reduction Activity in Maldives

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has launched the USAID Ocean Plastics Reduction Activity in Maldives – a five-year project to reduce environmental plastics by decreasing plastic inputs and improving integrated solid waste management (SWM) practices.

The project was inaugurated by Maldivian Environment Minister Aminath Shauna in a ceremony at the Artificial Beach in Male’ on Wednesday evening.

The ceremony was attended by top officials from USAID and Parley Maldives.

The USAID Ocean Plastics Reduction Activity is also being run in neighboring Sri Lanka. With a focus on ocean plastics pollution, USAID will fund activities that promote the 3R principles of reducing, reusing, and recycling, as well as improve government capacity to manage the use and disposal of plastics.

There are four main objectives of the project. They are:

• Reduce the need for new plastic inputs and products
• Improve and expand waste management with an emphasis on reducing plastic waste in the environment
• Support local communities to take the lead in developing waste management solutions that work best for them
• Improve the conditions that enable better waste management, with a focus on reducing plastic waste in the ocean

The objectives prioritize comprehensive private-sector engagement, locally-led solutions, and gender equality for women, youth, and marginalized groups.

After the launch of the project, students from several schools in Male’ cleaned up the Artificial Beach area and collected plastic waste.

In her speech at the ceremony, Shauna highlighted on the impact of the rising sea level on Maldives.

Shauna said it was leading to beach erosion, the contamination of freshwater layer, and an increase in flooding and tidal swells.

She said that the biggest issue is waste management.

“I hope that by the time the students and the youth here reach by age, they have a safe environment to live in. This is becoming a huge challenge now. We have a great environmental issue; waste. Our country too, produces a large quantity of waste. We have collected a huge quantity of waste from the beach and streets in just one hour. This shows how critical this is,” she said.

Shauna said that it is not impossible to live a plastic-free life.

USAID aims to maximize the impact of its project by combining proven and innovative solutions from government, donors, industries, and local initiatives; partner with a variety of local groups; and focus on strengthening the entire waste management and environmental protection system at the national, atoll, and island levels through targeted activities.

The project aims to prevent thousands of tons of plastic from leaking into the environment and, increase SWM and 3R behaviors at household, community, and private sector levels.