The Government has established waste management centres in 28 islands over the past two and a half years in efforts to strengthen waste management systems across the Maldives, the Ministry of Climate Change, Environment and Energy has said.

Providing an update on the sector at a press conference, Director General of the Ministry's Waste Management and Pollution Control Ahmed Murthaza said waste management remains one of the Maldives' biggest environmental challenges, with the volume of waste generated across the country continuing to increase. He said the Maldives now produces approximately 517,000 tonnes of waste annually, reflecting a nine per cent increase in waste generation.

Murthaza said waste generation averages 1.2 kilograms per person per day in urban areas, 800 grams in smaller islands and 3.5 kilograms in resorts. He added that tourists generate around twice as much waste per person as residents, while the lack of adequate waste management facilities continues to pose a significant challenge.

As part of efforts to improve waste management nationwide, the Government has also supplied waste management equipment to 82 islands, installed food waste processing technology in six islands and handed the systems over to local councils, while 92 islands have received waste transport vehicles. Preparations are also underway to bring a dedicated landing craft into service to support the transport of waste between islands.

Murthaza said work is also progressing to strengthen the Northern Regional Waste Management System, including upgrading the regional waste management facility in Haa Alifu Vandhoo. He said the Government is also establishing a hazardous waste management system, with the Vandhoo facility expected to provide services to inhabited islands, resorts and industrial islands from Lhaviyani Atoll northwards.

He added that the Government aims to provide every inhabited island with a waste management system during the current presidential term. As part of that effort, a National Waste Management Master Plan has been prepared to guide the establishment of regional waste management facilities and expand waste management infrastructure in line with future waste generation across the country.