Waste Management Corporation (WAMCO) reported that plastic weighing 20 metric tonnes were collected from the greater Male’ region on Saturday during the nationwide clean-up organised by the government.
According to WAMCO, a total of 195 tonnes of garbage was collected from Male’, Hulhumale’ and Vilimale’ combined.
Waste Collection Manager of WAMCO Mohamed Shan attributed most of the plastic trash to collections from the beach, also pointing out that empty plastic bottles had made up the majority of litter.
WAMCO plans to transfer the 20 tonnes of plastic found in the combined area, to the city's first plastics recycling facility, built by the non-profit group, Parley for the Oceans.
According to the statistics of WAMCO, waste collected specifically from Male’ City reached up to 118 metric tonnes, out of which 11 metric tonnes was plastic. From Hulhumale' 34 metric tonnes of garbage was stockpiled, of which 6 metric tonnes was plastic.
In comparison, only 23 metric tonnes of garbage, of which 3 metric tonnes were plastic, was collected from Villimale’.
The Director General of the Ministry of Environment, Mohamed Zahir (Meemu Zaviyani) told Mihaaru that he was disturbed about the 20 metric tonnes of plastic found in Male’.
Further, he added that the stated figure as comprised of a single day’s clean-up, more plastic was sure to be present within the houses and buildings of Male’.
President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has urged everyone to take part in the clean-up programme, 'Saafu Raajje, aharengeves zimmaa', as the event will be held in different locations throughout the year.
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