Meedhoo-based non-governmental organisation (NGO) Jamiyyathul Salah has decided to make and sell glass water bottles.
President of Jamiyyathul Salah Ahmed Rasheed said the NGO proposed to begin an environmentally friendly project that would also benefit the island and the atoll for the small grant programme United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) began in 2021. As such, he said making glass water bottles will reduce the use of plastic bottles in the region.
Jamiyyathul Salah is establishing the bottling facility with USD3,000 of assistance provided under the UNDP Blue Water Project. UNDP has set a goal to complete the project within two years. Salah said the project is now 95% complete and that the NGO expects to begin selling the product in December upon approval from the Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA).
The bottling plant in Meedhoo, Raa Atoll, will produce 500ml bottles and 1l bottles. Around 2,000 glass water bottles and all necessary equipment have been brought to the island. The plant will have the capacity to produce 8,000 bottles and will initially provide its product to the cafés and restaurants in the island. Jamiyyathul Salah said the bottles will later be supplied to the households and other islands in the atolls. The bottling plant is expected to reduce the use of single-use plastic in Meedhoo.