Maldives Opens Material Recovery Facility in Kulhudhuffushi
Maldives Opens Material Recovery Facility in Kulhudhuffushi | Photo: Kulhudhuffushi City Council
The Maldives has inaugurated its first specialised Material Recovery Facility in Kulhudhuffushi City, marking a significant step in efforts to address plastic pollution and protect marine ecosystems.
The project also aims to establish the country’s first urban centre free from plastic waste. The Material Recovery Facility was developed through a collaboration between the Maldives Authentic Crafts Cooperative Society (MACCS), the Kulhudhuffushi City Council, and the state-owned Waste Management Corporation (WAMCO).
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It is part of the Plastic Free Rivers and Seas for South Asia (PLEASE Project), a regional initiative led by the South Asia Co-operative Environment Programme (SACEP).
The centre is the first in the Maldives dedicated solely to systematic and safe waste management. Its primary goal is to shield the residents of Kulhudhuffushi and its surrounding lagoons from the harmful effects of plastic waste. WAMCO will manage operations under a formal agreement with MACCS and the City Council.
The facility will function as a temporary holding site where waste collected across the island is sorted, with an emphasis on plastics. These materials will be compressed and baled with specialised equipment before being prepared for further processing. The infrastructure includes two baling machines, a hydraulic pallet stacker, a hydraulic pallet truck, and four pickup trucks to support collection and transport. The facility also incorporates solar panels to partially power its operations.
The complex is equipped with an office, pantry, and prayer room for staff, who have been provided with protective gear and training specific to the project.
Officials expect the facility to strengthen waste management practices in Kulhudhuffushi and pave the way for wider plastic reduction efforts across the Maldives. The inauguration was attended by senior representatives from MACCS, WAMCO, the City Council, and local associations, reflecting broad institutional backing for the initiative.
