Waste Management Corporation Limited (WAMCO) has stated another 20ha of land is needed to continue waste management operations in Thilafushi over the long term.
Speaking on the waste management operations carried out in Thilafushi as part of the Greater Male' Environmental Improvement and Waste Management Project, General Manager Operations of WAMCO Ahmed Shafiu stated the waste brought to Thilafushi is no longer simply dumped onto the waste disposal site. As such, Shafiu stated the waste brought to Thilafushi is now sorted, broken down, and stored in bales before being burned. Noting about 500 bales are burned every day, Shafiu said another 20ha are needed to continue the operations over the long term in a sustainable manner.
Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Technology Aminath Shauna visited Thilafushi on April 14 to observe the waste management operations on the industrial island. She also inspected the site of the Male’ Waste Transfer Station, where construction is set to begin.
The Government of the Maldives launched the Greater Male' Environmental Improvement and Waste Management Project on December 15, 2021. The project is being conducted in two phases, and the work to build infrastructure in the first phase has been completed. Smoke emissions from Thilafushi, which caused severe air pollution, have now ceased.
The first phase of the project involves establishing a sustainable solid waste management system in the Greater Male' Region as well as Kaafu Atoll, Alifu Alifu Atoll, Alifu Dhaalu Atoll, and Vaavu Atoll. The second phase of the project involves establishing a waste-to-energy plant in Thilafushi, which will process 500 tonnes of waste to generate up to 8.5 megawatts of energy.
The government has stated the project is expected to be completed in 2023 and will solve 60% of the waste management problems in the country.