Government Receives MVR 14 Million in Plastic Bag Fees

The Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) has disclosed that it has collected MVR 14 million in plastic bag fees since the implementation of the fee. 

The fee, set at MVR 2 per bag, was initiated on 18 April 2023, in accordance with the Waste Management Act.

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According to the MIRA, the revenue generated from plastic bag fees amounted to MVR 12.6 million in the previous year, with an additional MVR 1.4 million collected in January of the current year.

As per the stipulations of the Waste Management Act, consumers purchasing plastic bags are obligated to remit a fee of MVR 2 per bag, irrespective of whether purchased individually or in bulk. 

Notably, a provision exempting packs containing 50 or more plastic bags from this fee, initially proposed during the bill’s parliamentary deliberations, was not included in the final enactment. 

Consequently, an amendment to the Act has been proposed and submitted to Parliament for consideration.