President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has declared a list of Single-Use Plastics banned for import into the Maldives from June 1, 2021.
Phasing out the use of Single-Use Plastics in the Maldives is one of the government’s key environmental pledges. During the first 100 days following his inauguration, the President launched a campaign to minimize Single-Use Plastics in the President’s Office, where he noted the use of Single-Use Plastics in the Maldives had been at an alarmingly high level.
Following the government's pledge, a Single-Use Plastic Phase-out plan was drafted by a diverse committee of experts, policymakers, and civil society representatives and is based on rigorous public and stakeholder consultation sessions. The plan encompasses regulations on the import, production, and sale of selected Single-Use Plastic products and will be rolled out in stages.
The first step of the Phase-out plan began with the ratification of the 18th Amendment Bill to the Export-Import Act of Maldives (Act No. 31/79). Which vests the President with the authority to compile and publicize a list of goods classified as Single-Use Plastics banned from import and to add or remove items from that list. With this plan, the President hopes to negate the harmful effects of single-use plastic on the Maldives' vulnerable marine environment and human health.
By June 1, 2021, the following items will be prohibited to import: drinking straws; plates, cutleries, and stirrers; styrofoam lunch boxes; 30x30 cm carrier bags; betel nuts in plastic wrapping; below 250ml coffee cups; cotton wool buds; 50 ml and smaller toiletry bottles; and, below 500ml PET beverage bottles. After December 1, 2022, importation of carrier bags below 50-micron thickness; 50-200 ml toiletry bottles; and, one-liter PET beverage bottles, will also be prohibited. The list, formulated under Presidential Decree, was published in the Government Gazette today.
The first step of the Single-Use Plastic Phase-out plan will be complemented by strategic awareness and educational campaigns to amplify its effectiveness and steer the country in a greener direction.
Phasing out the use of Single-Use Plastics in the Maldives is one of the government’s key environmental pledges. During the first 100 days following his inauguration, the President launched a campaign to minimize Single-Use Plastics in the President’s Office, where he noted the use of Single-Use Plastics in the Maldives had been at an alarmingly high level.
Following the government's pledge, a Single-Use Plastic Phase-out plan was drafted by a diverse committee of experts, policymakers, and civil society representatives and is based on rigorous public and stakeholder consultation sessions. The plan encompasses regulations on the import, production, and sale of selected Single-Use Plastic products and will be rolled out in stages.
The first step of the Phase-out plan began with the ratification of the 18th Amendment Bill to the Export-Import Act of Maldives (Act No. 31/79). Which vests the President with the authority to compile and publicize a list of goods classified as Single-Use Plastics banned from import and to add or remove items from that list. With this plan, the President hopes to negate the harmful effects of single-use plastic on the Maldives' vulnerable marine environment and human health.
By June 1, 2021, the following items will be prohibited to import: drinking straws; plates, cutleries, and stirrers; styrofoam lunch boxes; 30x30 cm carrier bags; betel nuts in plastic wrapping; below 250ml coffee cups; cotton wool buds; 50 ml and smaller toiletry bottles; and, below 500ml PET beverage bottles. After December 1, 2022, importation of carrier bags below 50-micron thickness; 50-200 ml toiletry bottles; and, one-liter PET beverage bottles, will also be prohibited. The list, formulated under Presidential Decree, was published in the Government Gazette today.
The first step of the Single-Use Plastic Phase-out plan will be complemented by strategic awareness and educational campaigns to amplify its effectiveness and steer the country in a greener direction.
