Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih ratifies the new Waste Management Act (Law No: 24/2022). The act aims to levy charges on plastic bags.
Parliament passed the bill at the 43rd sitting of its third session on Monday, November 28, 2022.
From April 2023, plastic bags will be subject to MVR 2 fee, which is to be paid to Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA).
The law governs the implementation and enforcement of sustainable waste management practices and policies drawn up to mitigate the negative effects of waste and protect public health. The act outlines standards and procedures for sustainable waste management and sets out administrative and punitive measures as well.
The act’s purposes include the reduction of pollution and environmental damage caused by waste. It also aims to encourage the reduction of public health risks, reduction of waste production as well as encourage waste reuse and recycling practices. The law also states penalties for any form of damage to waste management systems including mismanagement and negligence.
In accordance with the act, the relevant cabinet minister is authorized to draw up waste reduction strategies, and grants a 12-month period from the ratification of the law to draw up a sustainable waste management strategy.
The relevant minister will also have 12 months to draw up a national masterplan on waste management and one month to draw up an action plan to encourage and reward waste management initiatives.
The Waste Management Act also defines procedures for single-use plastics (SUPs) reduction, charging for plastic bags, accruing fees and penalizing for offences prohibited in the law. Following ratification, the law has been published in the Government Gazette with the act now in effect.
- Trade in duty-free shops
- Unsealed bags used for fresh meat
- Unsealed bags used for grains, flour and sugar
- Bulk purchase of more than 50 plastic bags
- Black dustbin bags sold to waste management services
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