President Mohamed Muizzu has again postponed the ban on the production, import and marketing of plastic bottled water between one litre and 500 millilitres.

The resolution on banning single-use plastic previously scheduled to ban the import and manufacture of plastic water bottles of these sizes from December 1, 2025 and ban their sale from March 1, 2026.

However, Muizzu issued a decree on Tuesday night banning the import and manufacture of bottled water from one litre to 500 millilitres from December 1, 2027 and the sale from June 1, 2028.

The import, manufacture and sale of water bottles smaller than 500 millilitres is already banned across the Maldives.

The plastic phase-out or ban program began under the Waste Management Act during the administration of former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. The law requires the President to determine the types and dates of plastics that will be banned.

The 13 items banned so far include small bags, supari packets, the smallest water bottles and plastic plates and cups.