The Parliament of the Maldives has passed the Waste Management Bill, which proposes to allow businesses to levy a MVR 2 tax on customers that buy plastic bags. The bill passed with 54 votes in favour.
The bill, proposed by Parliamentarian Mohamed Rasheed on behalf of the government, states that businesses cannot levy the tax if the plastic bags are bought in duty-free shops, or used for carrying unpackaged and fresh fish, or used for carrying rice, sugar, and flour. The tax can also not be levied on plastic bags used as bin liners by workers in waste management services.
Additionally, businesses will be required to levy the tax on plastic bags provided for customers during point-of-sale purchases 30 days after the bill is made into law. The bill will also require businesses registered for goods and services tax (GST) at Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) to disclose its guidelines on levying the tax within six months after the bill is made into law.
