Container of Baled PET Plastic Exported for Recycling

A container of baled post-consumer Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) plastic has been exported from the Maldives as part of an initiative by The Coca-Cola Foundation (TCCF).

The event, held in observance of World Cleanup Day, was organised in collaboration with the state-owned Waste Management Company (WAMCO) and the Maldives Ocean Plastics Alliance (MOPA). It also included the handover of pickups and balers to WAMCO, designed to aid in plastic waste collection and processing. The baled PET is being exported to Malaysia and China for recycling.

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While PET bottles have been exported from the Maldives in the past, TCCF highlighted that baling the waste improves the efficiency of both storage and transport. The overall objective of the project is to establish a nationwide solution for plastic waste recycling by developing the necessary infrastructure and systems.

The initiative, known as the Sustainable Island Waste Management and Plastic Recycling Initiative, seeks to expand PET collection systems beyond the Greater Malé region while enhancing local recycling capabilities.

Ahmed Maumoon, President of MOPA, described the project as a “turning point” in the fight against plastic waste, stressing the importance of community engagement and collaboration with WAMCO.

WAMCO’s Managing Director, Mujthaba Jaleel, echoed this sentiment, stating that providing islands with the right tools will help combat plastic pollution and support a more sustainable future.

Carlos Pagoaga, President of The Coca-Cola Foundation, reiterated the organisation’s commitment to fostering a recycling culture and advancing a circular economy in the Maldives. WAMCO will manage the operational aspects of PET waste collection and export as part of the broader project.