The Ministry of Tourism and Environment has signed an agreement with Wee Hour Investment Private Limited to develop a hazardous waste recycling and export centre in Vandhoo of Raa Atoll.
The agreement was signed on behalf of the Environment Ministry by the Ministry’s Deputy Minister Hassaan Mohamed, while Wee Hour Investment Private Limited was represented by its Office Manager Shadheen Ibrahim.
Speaking to the media following the signing ceremony, Deputy Minister Hassaan stated that the centre will be developed with the financial support from the Global Environment Facility. The project is expected to cost USD 1.20 million and is scheduled to reach completion by March 2026 , he said.
According to Hassaan, the facility will categorise and divide hazardous waste and chemicals into four categories: lithium batteries, fire extinguishers, toxic waste and pressure vessels.
The hazardous waste management center will be built at the Regional Waste Management Centre already established in Vandhoo. The new facility will include an office section, a waste storage section and a recycling section.
The government has also launched a broader project to manage hazardous waste in collaboration with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), also with the financial assistance of the Global Environment Facility. Under this project, a legal framework will be established to manage hazardous chemicals imported into the Maldives, and a special system will be established to manage hazardous chemicals.
The first hazardous waste management centre in the Maldives was established in southernmost Addu City. While a similar centre is currently under development in the Male’ area, a contract has already been awarded to establish a centre in the north.