Minister Mariyam Shakeela revealed that the waste of resorts amount to 7.5kg per head, while it has been confirmed that the majority of the waste do not reach the dump site in Thilafushi. She added close inspection of waste accumulating in the sea near the capital Male has proved that it had been dumped by resorts. “It has been confirmed that waste accumulating near the Male region comes from the resorts. The reason I say this is because most of the photos sent in by EPA [Environmental Protection Agency] and other such authorities show large quantities of orange peel. Bits of apples and tomatoes amount to most of the waste. Where does it come from? It comes from the resorts,” Shakeela stressed. In a bid to resolve the issue, the Ministry is presently trying to establish a focal point in each resort in addition to a study on the amount of waste. Environment Minister further highlighted the dangers in use of waste by resorts for land reclamation. She said such waste seep into the sea due to erosion compounding the problem of waste accumulation at sea.