Waste Management Corporation (WAMCO) has cleared 900 tonnes of waste from Thinadhoo, Vaavu Atoll, as part of efforts to clear landfills on the islands.
Thinadhoo has had a large landfill for many years which has caused several dangerous fires. The last time the garbage was cleared was 25 years ago on a boat belonging to the then Vaavu Atoll Office, revealed the President of Thinadhoo Island Council Shifaaq Hussain. He said it is a major concern that there was no way to transport the waste from the island to a waste management facility. He appreciated the efforts of WAMCO in assisting in clearing the landfill. WAMCO revealed it would take two rounds to completely clear the landfill. WAMCO estimates a total of 1,300 tonnes of waste can be removed from the landfill.
Moreover, WAMCO has started similar projects on other islands including Gulhi, Guraidhoo, and Maafushi in Kaafu Atoll. The waste management company said that over 1,800 tonnes of waste have been collected from the two atolls so far.
Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Technology revealed the waste removed from the landfill will be transferred to the Thilafushi Waste Facility for disposal. The project is part of the government's efforts to remove waste that has accumulated in some islands over the years due to a lack of an adequate waste management system. The government estimates that over 100,000 tonnes of waste will be removed from the islands as part of the project.