Ministry Signs Agreement with WAMCO to Strengthen Hazardous Waste Management in Addu City

The Ministry of Tourism and Environment has entered into an agreement with Waste Management Corporation Limited (WAMCO) to oversee the operation and maintenance of a dedicated hazardous waste and chemical storage facility in Addu City.

The facility is designed to provide safe, temporary storage for hazardous waste and chemicals generated across the Addu zone, in alignment with national waste management regulations and international environmental conventions. It will serve as a critical hub for the responsible containment of waste arising from industrial processes, used oils, spent batteries, and chemicals from laboratories, particularly those associated with educational institutions.

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The agreement was signed on behalf of the Ministry by Deputy Minister Ahmed Nizam, while WAMCO’s Managing Director, Al-Fadhil Mujtaba Jaleel, represented the corporation.

This initiative forms a core component of the “Eliminating Persistent Organic Pollutants through Sound Management of Chemicals” project—an undertaking led by the Ministry in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with the backing of the Global Environment Facility (GEF). The establishment of this centre underscores the Government’s ongoing commitment to sustainable waste management and environmental protection.

Among the primary objectives of the Addu facility are:

• Preventing environmental degradation caused by hazardous substances;
  
• Safeguarding public health across the region;
  
• Contributing to the goals outlined in the National Waste Management Strategy;
  
• Upholding the Maldives’ obligations under international accords such as the Basel and Stockholm Conventions;
  
• Creating a framework for future sustainable hazardous waste management practices.
  

Due to the relatively modest volumes of hazardous waste generated in the Maldives, the creation of a permanent hazardous waste disposal site has been deemed technically and economically impractical. Instead, this interim storage centre offers a viable alternative: securely housing hazardous waste until it can be exported for safe recycling or disposal abroad, in accordance with international best practices and treaty commitments.

To ensure the facility’s operations meet rigorous standards, the Ministry has developed a comprehensive set of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). These guidelines cover all aspects of handling, packaging, transportation, and storage of various hazardous materials, with a firm emphasis on safety and environmental integrity.

Moreover, as part of the agreement, specialised training programmes will be conducted for WAMCO personnel assigned to the facility. This training will equip them with the technical expertise required to manage the centre effectively and safely. The Ministry has also provided key operational equipment to support the facility’s readiness and long-term functionality.