We are supporting the Maldives to become the first ocean nation to phase out single-use plastics and break free from plastic waste.
As an iconic destination with a global reputation, Clean Blue Maldives can inspire other island communities to join the movement towards a plastic-free ocean.
Find out how our local team is working with the Maldivian Government and community groups to drive policy, invest in the circular economy and create a cultural shift in how we make, use and dispose of plastic.
Of the 1,192 islands in the Maldives, just 183 are inhabited or visited. The country’s tourism industry generates around 69% of the country’s GDP. However, this comes at a high cost, generating an incredible amount of plastic waste.
Most islands lack the infrastructure to deal with this waste, which is often burned openly - creating highly toxic emissions that harm people’s health and are absorbed by the local environment. Waste not burnt, or managed locally, is sent by boat to the island of Thilafushi, which sees around 330 tonnes arrive every day, much of which eventually washes into the sea.
But there is hope. Led by the President’s Office, government ministries and state-owned enterprises are taking positive steps to protect this tropical paradise. Common Seas was invited by the Maldivian Government to deliver technical support through Plastic Drawdown, providing the evidence (and therefore the consensus and confidence) for the President to publicly commit to phase-out single-use plastics by 2023.
Clean Blue Alliance provides on-the-ground demonstrations of systemic solutions to plastic pollution to inform and inspire change at a global level. Jo Royle
Commons Seas
We launched Clean Blue Maldives in 2019
after a three-day workshop, which brought together island councils, government representatives, the World Bank, waste engineers, businesses, local groups, and Soneva – a luxury eco-resort. The output of the working meeting was the Clean Blue Maldives Charter – signed by all in attendance.
The Charter commits us to work together to eliminate problematic plastics and end open burning. Namoona Baa initiative was launched by the signatories of the Charter, as a pilot project to demonstrate what sustainable waste management can look like on small islands. Namoona means ‘exemplary’ in the Dhivehi language.
How it works
Investigate
Identify waste streams and leakage.
Year one:
- We launched Clean Blue Maldives with a three-day workshop, which resulted in the Clean Blue Charter. The Charter’s signatories committed to radically reducing single-use plastics and ending open burning of waste.
- The President’s Office invited Plastic Drawdown analysis to evaluate and provide evidence for a portfolio of key mitigation strategies. Our data recommended a focus on plastic bottles, tourist waste and leakage from waste transport vessels.
- The evidence encouraged the Government to commit to phase-out problem plastics by 2023. We continue to provide technical assistance and pilot priority interventions.
Intervene
Our solutions remove problem plastics from the economy and prevent plastic from becoming waste.
Year one:
- Parliament banned single-use plastic imports in July 2020
- Halted open burning on the island of Maalhos - a result of Soneva’s ‘waste to wealth’ eco-centre
- Developing Clean Blue Holidays to help hospitality business reduce single-use plastics
- Initiating Male Tap to reduce capital’s dependence on plastic bottled water
- Increasing use of reusable diapers
- Designing Deposit Return Scheme for bottles; and - technology to reduce waste spilling at sea
Influence
Our solutions remove problem plastics from the economy and prevent plastic from becoming waste.
Year one:
- Parliament banned single-use plastic imports in July 2020
- Halted open burning on the island of Maalhos - a result of Soneva’s ‘waste to wealth’ eco-centre
- Developing Clean Blue Holidays to help hospitality business reduce single-use plastics
- Initiating Male Tap to reduce capital’s dependence on plastic bottled water
- Increasing use of reusable diapers
- Designing Deposit Return Scheme for bottles; and - technology to reduce waste spilling at sea
About Soneva
Soneva recycles or reuses 90% of its waste and has a zero-waste target. The company operates two resorts in the Maldives and has well-established plastic reduction and waste management initiatives. These provide a strong launchpad for the islands to begin their own journeys. Soneva has pledged funds from their Save our Seas programme to support the Namoona Baa Initiative.
Get involved
We'd love to hear from you.
There are lots of ways to support Clean Blue Maldives and Common Seas, and we are always on the lookout for new investment, new ideas and new project partners.
- For press enquiries or to explore a partnership, please get in touch with the local team on [email protected]
- If you’d like to find out about using Clean Blue Alliance in your region, get in touch with Jo at [email protected]
- To support our work, please head to our donate page.
