Ban on sale of small plastic water bottles pushed to 2026

The ban on sale of single-use plastic water bottles smaller than one liter has been postponed for a second time.

A decree signed by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu on Wednesday reads that the import and production of plastic water bottles smaller than one liter will be banned effective December 1, 2025. And that the sale of plastic water bottles smaller than one liter will be banned effective March 1, 2026.

This marks the second time for the ban on small water bottles to be postponed. The ban was originally set to take effect last year. But it was postponed to this Thursday via a presidential decree in December.

The former Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) administration had released a ban list of 14 types of single-use plastics. Small plastic water bottles are the last item on the list. All other 13 items have been banned.