A proposed amendment bill seeks to remove the clause in the Waste Management Act that permits waste imports. The Bill on the Amendment to the Waste Management Act was introduced by government representative Mohamed Rashid.
The Waste Management Act, ratified in December 2022, empowers the government to oversee waste production and management, as well as regulate waste generated by businesses in various industries, including tourism. However, the public has expressed concerns about a clause in the Act that allows the Maldives to import waste. The amendment bill aims to address these concerns by banning waste imports.
Moreover, the bill seeks to establish sustainable waste management policies aligned with the government’s vision and clearly define the roles and responsibilities of the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, and Technology, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and utility regulatory authorities. The bill also includes guidelines for testing and certifying waste management resources, as well as approving land plots for waste management centers.
