List of prohibited plastics moved under new law in govt's initiative to phase out plastic

The list of single-use plastic items banned from import, manufacture and sale in the Maldives has been transferred under the newly created Waste Management Act.

Previously, the list was determined under the Environmental Protection and Conservation Act (1993). However, with the Waste Management Act ratified by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on Sunday, the Environmental Protection and Conservation Act has now been repealed.

According to the President's Office, the list was repealed by a presidential decree.

Thirteen environmentally harmful plastic products are banned from being manufactured and sold in Maldives from the dates mentioned in the list.

List of banned plastics

- Single-use plastic-based drinking straw; Date of prohibition for production: December 19, 2022, Date of prohibition for sale: December 19, 2022

- Single-use plastic based plates, cutleries and stirrers; Date of prohibition for production: December 19, 2022, Date of prohibition for sale: December 19, 2022

- Styrofoam lunch box; Date of prohibition for production: December 19, 2022, Date of prohibition for sale: December 19, 2022

- Plastic shopping bags below 30x30cm (including oxo-biodegradable and synthetic polymer based biodegradable plastic); Date of prohibition for production: December 19, 2022, Date of prohibition for sale: December 19, 2022

- Plastic shopping bags below 50-micron thickness (including oxo-biodegradable and synthetic polymer based biodegradable plastics); Date of prohibition for production: December 19, 2022, Date of prohibition for sale: March 1, 2023

- Imported sweet areca nuts in plastic packaging; Date of prohibition for production: December 19, 2022, Date of prohibition for sale: December 19, 2022

- Single-use plastic drinking cups below 250ml; Date of prohibition for production: December 19, 2022, Date of prohibition for sale: December 19, 2022

- Cotton buds with plastic stems; Date of prohibition for production: December 19, 2022, Date of prohibition for sale: December 19, 2022

- Shampoo, soap, conditioner and lotion bottles in plastic packaging that are 50ml and below; Date of prohibition for production: December 19, 2022, Date of prohibition for sale: December 19, 2022

- Shampoo, soap, conditioner and lotion bottles in plastic packaging between 50ml to 200ml; Date of prohibition for production: December 19, 2022, Date of prohibition for sale: March 1, 2023

- All production and usage of water packed in plastic bottles below 500ml; Date of prohibition for production: December 19, 2022, Date of prohibition for sale: December 19, 2022

- All production and usage of water that is 1 liter and below packed in plastic bottles; Date of prohibition for production: December 1, 2023, Date of prohibition for sale: March 1, 2024

- All production and usage of beverages packed in plastic bottles below 500ml, except drinking water (carbonated and non-carbonated drinks); Date of prohibition for production: December 19, 2022, Date of prohibition for sale: December 19, 2022

Date of prohibition and sales maybe subject to change

Plastic bottled water of one liter and less than one liter will be banned from December next year and banned from the market from March 2024 to reduce reliance on single-use plastics.

Even if single-use plastics are banned, plastics used to seal products manufactured by small businesses will be exempt from the policy. It is a policy implemented by the government with special priority to prevent the adverse impact of plastics on the environment and protect the economy of Maldives.