The Maldives generates over 500,000 tonnes of waste annually, with tourists identified as the largest contributors, according to the Environment Ministry.
Speaking at a press conference held at the President's Office today, Ahmed Murthaza, Director of the Waste Management Division at the Environment Ministry, said that the country produces 517,000 tonnes of waste per year.
Murthaza noted that while individuals in urban centers generate approximately 1.6 kilograms of waste per day, a single tourist generates 3.5 kilograms daily.
"Looking at the rate of waste increase in the Maldives, approximately five hundred thousand tonnes of waste are produced nationwide annually. This equates to about 1.2 to 1.6 kilograms per person in urban centers," Murthaza said.
"In the Maldivian tourism sector, 3.5 kilograms of waste are generated per tourist per guest night. This means the waste produced by that sector is much higher than that of the general public—nearly three times more."
During the press conference, Environment Minister Ali Shareef emphasized that waste management is currently the biggest environmental threat facing the Maldives.
"The issue of waste is now our number one environmental priority across all islands nationwide," he said.
Murthaza, Director General of the Waste Management Department, further explained that one of the challenges in managing waste is the exorbitant cost involved.
"There are big challenges to implementing a sustainable, circular waste management system in the Maldives. One major factor is the extreme cost, particularly due to our geography, which necessitates a heavy reliance on both land and sea transport," he said.
The government today unveiled its strategy to address the waste crisis. Murthaza detailed a plan to establish waste management facilities across seven regions, comprising three major facilities and four supporting ones.
