ELIMINATE WASTE  |  MANAGE RESOURCES
Improving Source Segregation of Waste in Fuvahmulah CityStrengthening segregation, data driven planning, and community participation in Fuvahmulah. The project trains WAMCO, the council, and the public, develops island level segregation standards, improves collection and IWMC operations, and pilots waste to wealth initiatives to reduce disposal and increase reuse.EPR MaldivesA national Extended Producer Responsibility framework for the Maldives, developed with adelphi. The project designs a practical EPR system, defines roles and financing mechanisms, and lays out a phased action plan for shared responsibility between producers, government, and waste operators.FenveshiRebuilding trust in Malé's tap water by installing public fountains and educating residents about the municipal supply, so bottled water becomes the exception rather than the habit.All projects →Policy work, education, and community programs
RESOURCES & PUBLICATIONS

Open knowledge for the waste sector.

Access to information is key. We make our publications and research available to the public, and aggregate as much locally available information on the waste sector as we can.

ZERO WASTE MALDIVES

Our publications

GUIDELINE2022

Manual on Extended Producer Responsibility: Implications for Small Island Developing States

A guideline for implementing EPR in small island states to curb plastic marine litter. Prepared by adelphi and Zero Waste Maldives with support from UNDP.

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REPORT2026

Burning the Future: Policy Inconsistencies in Maldives' Climate and Resource Management

A loss and damage report on the policy, technical, financial and social risks of the Thilafushi waste-to-energy incineration project, and why incineration undermines the Maldives' climate and waste reduction goals. By GAIA Asia Pacific with Zero Waste Maldives.

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ACTION PLAN2023

Action Plan to Implement a Mandatory Packaging Reporting Scheme in the Maldives

An action plan to ease the transition from a voluntary to a mandatory EPR scheme and bridge the data gaps that exist for systemic implementation. Prepared for the EU SWITCH-Asia SCP Facility.

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GUIDELINE2025

Fibreglass Waste Management Guideline

Developed under the Sustainable Waste Alternatives Program (S.W.A.P) for the boatbuilding and repair sector, aligned with national chemical management and POPs priorities.

STUDY2021

Assessment of Potential Alternatives to Single Use Plastics

Report dated 29 November 2019, with final revisions in May 2021. Commissioned by Maldives Authentic Crafts Cooperative Society for the #PlasticNoonGotheh project, funded through the UNDP GEF Small Grants Programme. Authored by Ahmed Afrah Ismail and Mariyam Hamsha Hussain.

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REPORT2024

Hazardous Waste Audit Findings, Noonu Atoll

Findings from audits across all thirteen islands of Noonu Atoll, identifying sources of waste generation with an emphasis on hazardous materials.

REPORT2019

Rahdhu: Container Deposit Scheme Pilot Project

Final report of the Rahdhu container deposit pilot (October 2018 to May 2019), funded by the UNDP Smart Cities Urban Innovation Challenge.

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CUPVERT & PERIODVAAHAKA

Menstrual health

MENSTRUAL HEALTH2020

Cupvert 2.0: Project Report

Final report on improving access to menstrual cups during the COVID-19 response, supported by UNFPA.

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MENSTRUAL HEALTH2021

Cupvert 3.0: Project Report

Final report of the third phase of the Cupvert menstrual cup project, supported by UNFPA.

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MENSTRUAL HEALTH2020

Menstrual Health Survey Findings (#PeriodVaahaka)

Findings from a national self-selection survey on menstrual health (30 August to 15 September 2020): 651 responses from 32 locations outside Male' and 3 outside the Maldives.

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NAMOONA BAA

Island waste segregation standards

SEGREGATION STANDARD2020

B. Maalhos Waste Segregation Standard (Dhivehi)

Household waste segregation standard and collection schedule for B. Maalhos, developed under the Namoona Baa project.

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SEGREGATION STANDARD2020

B. Dharavandhoo Waste Segregation Standard (Dhivehi)

Household waste segregation standard and collection schedule for B. Dharavandhoo, developed under the Namoona Baa project.

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SEGREGATION STANDARD2020

B. Dharavandhoo Waste Segregation Banner (Dhivehi)

Island-wide banner showing how each waste type is sorted, produced for the Dharavandhoo rollout.

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SEGREGATION STANDARD2020

B. Kihaadhoo Waste Segregation Standard (Dhivehi)

Household waste segregation standard and collection schedule for B. Kihaadhoo, developed under the Namoona Baa project.

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SEGREGATION STANDARD2020

B. Kihaadhoo Waste Segregation Banner (Dhivehi)

Island-wide banner showing how each waste type is sorted, produced for the Kihaadhoo rollout.

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FROM GAIA

Zero waste resources from GAIA

GAIA RESOURCE2021

The Zero Waste Master Plan: A Guide to Building Just and Resilient Zero Waste Cities

A guide for cities to plan zero waste systems, from infrastructure and financing to reuse, source separation and food waste. By the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA).

Original source ↗Download copy ↓
GAIA RESOURCE2020

Zero Waste City Manual: A Toolkit to Establish City and Community Zero Waste Systems

A practical toolkit for municipalities to process waste in-situ and within wards, drawn from the Greater Chennai Corporation transition. From GAIA. Licensed CC BY-NC-ND 4.0.

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START AT HOME

Practical guides for everyday zero waste

Zero waste at home

Where to start: the swaps that cut the most waste for the least effort.

For island councils

Setting up segregation and collection systems that residents actually use.

For resorts & guesthouses

Optimizing collection and diverting waste streams from your operation.