922 tonnes of plastic waste produced in Male' in 2024

Waste Management Corporation (WAMCO) statistics indicate that 922 tonnes of plastic waste was produced in the Male' area last year.

The statistics were shared, citing WAMCO, but the Maldives Bureau of Statistics on last Thursday, coinciding with World Environment Day.

As per these, 922 tonnes of plastic waste was cleared from the Greater Male' area in 2024. The highest amount was recorded in November, at 135 tonnes of plastic waste.

- 131,713 tonnes of mixed waste

- 44,684 tonnes of wet waste

- 22,124 tonnes of rock waste

- 11,592 tonnes of large items disposed of by households

- 10,385 tonnes of wood and leaf waste

- 4,948 tonnes of paper and cardboard waste

- 861 tonnes of medical waste

The government has undertaken many efforts to decrease plastic waste in Maldives. Single use plastics are being banned in phases, with a ban on small plastic water bottles expected to come into effect on March 1 next year.

A list of single use plastic items that will be banned from import, production and sale over a detailed schedule was compiled during the administration of former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. Under this, 13 items have been banned to date.

Statistics Bureau cited the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and said that the highest number of reports received by the authority last year concerned flooding due to heavy rains.

93 such cases were reported to the NDMA last year. The second highest is reports of fire incidents, recorded at 83 cases. Another 57 cases of damage due to strong winds were also reported.

Citing STELCO, Statistics Bureau said that 98 percent of electricity is generated through the use of fuel. 1.4 percent of solar energy is generated through solar power systems at private residences. Under STELCO's oversight, 0.3 percent renewable energy is generated.