President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has ratifies the Waste Management Act, which will allow businesses to levy a USD0.13 tax on customers that buy plastic bags from April 18.
The Waste Management Act states that businesses cannot levy the tax if the plastic bags are bought in duty-free shops, or used for carrying unpackaged and fresh fish, or used for carrying rice, sugar, and flour. The tax can also not be levied on plastic bags used as bin liners by workers in waste management services.
Additionally, businesses will be required to levy the tax on plastic bags provided for customers during point-of-sale purchases four months after ratification, which is on April 18. The law will also require businesses registered for goods and services tax (GST) at Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) to disclose its guidelines on levying the tax within six months after ratification.
Furthermore, the law governs the implementation and enforcement of sustainable waste management practices and policies drawn up to mitigate the negative effects of waste and protect public health, and it outlines the standards and procedures for sustainable waste management. It also specifies administrative and punitive measures and penalises criminal offenses.
The purposes of the law include reducing pollution and environmental damage caused by waste, encouraging the reduction of public health risks, reducing the production of waste, and encouraging the recycling and reusing of waste. The law also specifies penalties for any form of damage to waste management systems, including mismanagement and negligence.