WASHINGTON, June 23, 2017— The World Bank Board of Directors today approved $17.5 million in financing to help improve solid waste management in selected areas in Maldives. This project will help Maldives manage its waste in a more efficient and environmentally friendly manner, which is key to maintaining Maldives’ position as a premier tourist destination.
With Maldives generating about 365,000 tons of solid waste annually, the management of solid waste is a pressing environmental issue in this popular tourist destination. Recent estimates indicate that solid waste is generated at a rate of 1.8 kg per person per day in Malé, 0.8 kg per person per day on the other inhabited islands, and 3.5 kg per person per day in resort islands.
The new Maldives Clean Environment Project builds on experience from the Bank financed Maldives Environmental Management Project (MEMP), which closed in June 2016. Through the new project, the Bank will continue its support to the Government’s “Clean Maldives” initiative - which aims to manage waste in a sustainable manner.
“Maldives has secured policy level commitment for sustainable solid waste management,” said Idah Z. Pswarayi-Riddihough, World Bank County Director for Sri Lanka and Maldives, commending the President’s commitment to make solid waste management a top priority of his administration. “A coordinated effort among institutions and communities will help implement integrated waste management solutions – which is accountable to the people.”
With expanding tourism comes increased consumerism and increased plastic bottles which will threaten the pristine environments that the Maldives are known for.
“This project will work together with the Government to strengthen the decision making process to find technical solutions,” said James Orehmie Monday, Senior Environmental Engineer and Task Team Leader. “These solutions will invariably help receive community commitment to implement an integrated solid waste management plan”
The project will adopt an Investment Project Financing (IPF) instrument funded by an International Development Association (IDA) Grant over an implementation period of six years.
