22 Islands in Five Atolls to Receive Waste Management Equipment

The Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Technology has contracted Sri-Lankan based company, SAW Engineering Private Limited to procure waste management equipment for 22 islands in five atolls of the Maldives. The agreement was signed on Tuesday between the Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Technology, Aminath Shauna and the Director of SAW Engineering, Bandula Jayarathne.

The project is facilitated under the grant assistance of the World Bank as part of the ministry’s ‘Maldives Clean Environment Project’. A funding of MVR 7.5 million has been secured for this initiative. As per the contract agreement, SAW Engineering will supply waste management equipment to islands in Meemu atoll, Faafu atoll, Dhaalu atoll, Thaa atoll and Laamu atoll.

Some of the equipment that will be procured for waste management include multi-purpose mini balers, single-feed glass bottle crushers, dustbins, and personal protective equipment (PPE) kits. SAW Engineering is contracted to supply the equipment within four months of the date of signing. Once this equipment is delivered to the islands, it is expected to reduce the challenges faced by improper waste management – which is a huge point of concern in the Maldives.

The equipment will be handed over to 22 islands that already have a waste and resource management centre or are currently undertaking the development of one. Island councils of the respective islands will be tasked with the operation and maintenance of equipment with financial assistance provided from the Green Fund for this purpose.