Soneva Namoona and the Women's Development Committees (WDC) of six islands in Noonu atoll have launched the “Alun Balun Resale Market” to promote reusing in order to reduce waste.
Soneva Namoona is an NGO run by the Soneva group which runs several high-end resorts in the Maldives.
The resale market was held on June 2 in all six islands that joined the program - Magoodhoo, Lhohi, Kudafari, Maafaru, Landhoo and Holhudhoo.
Soneva Namoona is an NGO run by the Soneva group which runs several high-end resorts in the Maldives.
Soneva Namoona said the purpose of the resale market is to develop a habit of reusing and empowering women to play a key role in environmental protection.
Under the initiative, WDCs intercept reusable items from households, clean and repair them if necessary, and transport them to the islands for resale.
By redirecting reusable items away from island waste management centers, the program reduces waste sent to landfills and incinerators.
The Alun Balun Resale Market has generated approximately MVR 20,000 and prevented over 500 items from ending up in landfills, Soneva Namoona said.
The Alun Balun Resale Market was first introduced in October 2022 as a collaborative effort between Soneva Namoona and WDCs from seven islands in Baa Atoll.
