Maldives Opens First Waste Recovery Facility in Kulhudhuffushi

The Maldives has inaugurated its first dedicated waste recovery facility in Kulhudhuffushi City, marking a milestone in the country’s efforts to combat plastic pollution. The new Material Recovery Facility also paves the way for Kulhudhuffushi to become the nation’s first urban centre free of plastic waste.

The project was developed through a partnership between the Maldives Authentic Crafts Cooperative Society (MACCS), the Kulhudhuffushi City Council, and the state-owned Waste Management Corporation (WAMCO). It forms part of the Plastic Free Rivers and Seas for South Asia (PLEASE) Project, an initiative led by the South Asia Co-operative Environment Programme (SACEP).

Speaking at the inauguration, SACEP Director-General Norbu Wangchuk underscored the Maldives’ vulnerability to environmental threats and highlighted the importance of marine conservation. He described the new facility as a transformative step for the region and expressed confidence that sustained cooperation would help make Kulhudhuffushi the country’s first plastic-free city.

The facility is the first of its kind in the Maldives, designed exclusively for safe and systematic waste management. WAMCO will oversee operations under a formal agreement with MACCS and the City Council. According to MACCS Chairperson Aminath Abdulla, the centre provides a structured and sustainable framework for managing waste. Collected materials will be sorted on-site, with plastics compressed and baled using specialised equipment for recycling.

Equipped with two baling machines, a hydraulic pallet stacker, a hydraulic pallet truck, and four pickup trucks for collection, the facility also incorporates solar panels to partially power operations. Beyond technical systems, the centre houses an office, pantry, and prayer room for staff. Employees have been provided with protective gear and trained in project-specific waste management practices.

Officials anticipate that the facility will significantly improve waste management in Kulhudhuffushi, serving as a model for other regions in the Maldives. The initiative adds to a series of MACCS-led projects aimed at reducing plastic use nationwide. The inauguration ceremony was attended by senior representatives from MACCS, WAMCO, the City Council, and local organisations, reflecting broad institutional support for the venture.