President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has decided to defer the date of the ban on the import of single-use plastic straws to Maldives to June 2031.
President Muizzu made the decision based on the Ministry of Climate Change, Environment and Energy's research, with the Presidential Decree No. 35/2025 (List of Single-Use Plastics Detrimental to the Environment) being amended by the President.
The President's Office stated that the ban on importing single-use plastic drinking straws classified under Item 1 of the list has been deferred from 1 June 2021 to 1 June 2031. The President's Office also said that the ban regarding the production and sale of these items in the Maldivian market has also been deferred from 19th December 2022 to 19th December 2031.
According to the office, the date to prohibit the import and production of water packaged in 1 liter plastic bottles and plastic bottles between 1 liter and 500 milliliters, which is on the previously mentioned list, has been deferred to 1st December 2029. The date prohibiting the sale of these bottles has been deferred to 1st June 2030.
As per the President's Office, President Muizzu also changed the plastic bottle size minimum from 500 milliliters to 250 milliliters, with the President prohibiting the import, production and sale of pre-packaged drinks to the Maldivian market from today onward. Water is not included in this ban.
The List of Single-Use Plastics Detrimental to the Environment has been amended as such and has been published in the Gazette.
The President's Office stated that the amendments were made so that the government can facilitate opportunities for better and sustainable change to the market while keeping the difficulties experienced by the public in using paper straws in mind. The office also said the change where instead of 500 milliliters, 250 milliliter bottles and smaller bottles being prohibited was made in order to offer a concession to Maldivian manufacturers and businesses.
The President's Office said the government's aim is to eradicate the obstacles in the way of the public's lives and the economy while achieving environmental protection goals.
