First City in the Maldives to Ban Single-Use Plastics - Addu City


Maldives
PUBLISHED June 23, 2019

On the 18th of June 2019, Addu City Council has passed the resolution to ban single-use plastics in the city, effective from the 5th of June, next year (2020).

Seven members of the city council approved the resolution unanimously.

Mayor of Addu City, Abdulla Sodiq (Sobe') stressed the importance of fighting against single-use plastics, and how it would be given top priority by the council.

He further stated that making Addu City a single-use plastic free city, and making sure to protect and preserve both land and marine environments were key objectives for the Addu City Council.

Making sure to credit the governments initiatives against single-use plastic, he mentioned how much of a key role that played with the decision taken by the City Council.

He mentioned that the efforts to ban single-use plastic would be made in partnership with institutions, businessmen, resorts and guesthouses based in Addu.

"We want to enact rules and regulations which people will follow, and will properly be implemented. We have already set some deadlines. However, something like this cannot be achieved without full cooperation from everyone.

Even now, the water companies in Addu are not closely associated with single-use plastics. There are many businessmen who want to stop using plastic bags as well. We can find more environment-friendly alternatives." stated Sodiq.

He further stated, with regard to the to the importance of raising awareness among school students;

"In our efforts to reduce single-use plastic and waste we will try to raise awareness about such issues among students. This will bring about a positive change that will benefit the entire society."

He expressed his belief that the city council must set a good example, and revealed that the city councils secretariat had stopped using single-use plastic two years ago.

Moreover, the council has planned to hire municipal inspectors to ensure the citys cleanliness assess whether environmental goals are being met.

Comments

Please login to Comment


NEWS ARCHIVE