Soneva Namoona celebrates six years of delivering positive environmental outcomes

Soneva Namoona, a local NGO pioneering innovative waste solutions, is commemorating six years of delivering positive environmental outcomes across the Maldives.

The NGO and representatives from eleven councils from Baa Atoll and Noonu came together at Soneva Fushi to celebrate the milestone. The collaborative efforts between Soneva Namoona and the councils have created pathbreaking solutions for sustainable waste management on the island level and reduced harmful activities such as the open burning of garbage.

In this regard, Soneva Namoona, in the past six years, developed flagship programs to encourage the use of alternatives to single-use plastics, a five-step sustainable waste management model and programs that inspire the love for the ocean.

In collaboration with councils and other partners, Soneva Namoona has:

• Eliminated 1 million single-use plastic bottles from entering the ocean or being burnt, by producing and distributing 500,000 liters of Soneva Water, which comes in reusable glass bottles or large, reusable plastic containers.
• Diverted over eight hundred tons of waste from entering the ocean or being burnt by providing infrastructure, logistics and consultancy in Baa and Noonu Atoll.
• Sending five hundred tons of materials for recycling – showcasing communities' dedication and willingness to adopt sustainable waste practices
• Engaged with over 6,000 through various training and engagements people to promote sustainable behavior change and environmental stewardship.

Namoona Champion Gordon Jackson, who has been working on innovative waste management solutions in the Maldives for over 12 years, states the NGO’s partnerships with island councils have resulted in many innovative practices which work well in the small island context.

“The formalization of these practices through a model or framework for sustainable waste management is a great collective achievement,” he added.

Baa Atoll Kendhoo Council’s Vice President Ibrahim Abdul Raheem said despite waste management being a low priority, progress far beyond what the Council has imagined has been achieved in the past six years in collaboration with Soneva Namoona.

“Together, we’ve demonstrated a blueprint for sustainable waste management practices across the Maldives,” he added.

Noonu Atoll Kudafari Council Member Dhimsha Abdul Majeed emphasized the need for a nationwide rollout of the Namooona Sustainable Waste Management Model.

“To maximize the impact of government investments in waste management and elevate the nation’s practices to a truly sustainable standard, I strongly call upon the current administration to adopt and implement the Namoona Sustainable Waste Management Model across all Maldivian islands. This model offers a practical and proven pathway to achieving long-term environmental resilience,” she said.

According to Azhoora Ahmed, President of Soneva Namoona who has been with the NGO since its inception, spoke regarding its aspirations. In this trajectory, she said the NGO is committed to embarking on an ambitious journey to scale its impact across Maldives in 2025.

“We invite the government, private sector and like-minded organizations to join us in creating a future where sustainable waste management becomes a nationwide reality,” she added.