Waste Management Corporation (WAMCO) has cleared over 5,000 tonnes of legacy waste from eight islands as part of the second phase of the Legacy Waste Cleanup Project.
WAMCO cleared 5,100 tonnes of waste from eight islands in the second phase of the project from August 17 to September 23. The legacy waste was cleared from five islands in Vaavu Atoll and three islands from Kaafu Atoll.
In Vaavu Atoll, 50 tonnes of waste were cleared from Rakeedhoo, 350 tonnes from Keyodhoo, 500 tonnes from Felidhoo, 1,350 tonnes from Thinadhoo, and 750 tonnes from Fulidhoo. Additionally, 900 tonnes of waste were cleared from Maafushi, 750 tonnes from Guraidhoo, and 450 tonnes from Gulhi.
To solve the huge amounts of accumulated waste on the islands, the government assigned WAMCO to carry out the Legacy Waste Cleanup project on islands that have the most accumulated waste. Numerous islands are facing serious environmental damage from legacy waste, which are breeding grounds for flies and mosquitoes and are potential fire hazards.
WAMCO has been transferring the legacy waste to Thilafushi and has so far cleared over 30,000 tonnes of waste from 25 islands. The state-owned company cleared 25,000 tonnes of waste from 17 islands in the first phase of the project in 2021.