Metals and plastic recycling in Maldives

This working paper shows how Maldives can boost recycling to strengthen its solid waste management strategy, protect its blue ocean economy, and create green business opportunities to support its long-term sustainable growth. Estimating under 2 percent of plastic waste is recycled in the island nation, it outlines how factors including high costs, inefficient collection efforts, and a lack of reprocessing facilities are hobbling recycling efforts. It recommends Maldives set up public-private partnerships with waste exporters and recyclers, incentivize domestic demand, and build a modern waste collection system to protect its environment and start the transition to a circular economy.