President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has ratified the first amendment to the Waste Management Act, introducing new rules on waste management systems, enforcement and plastic bag charges.
The amendment was passed by the Parliament during the 25th sitting of its second session for 2026 on Monday, 17 August.
It sets out requirements for establishing waste management systems and centres, implementing safe waste management policies and allocating the resources needed to operate them.
The amendment also clarifies the responsibilities of the Utility Regulatory Authority and the Environmental Regulatory Authority.
Under the new law, the Environmental Regulatory Authority can formulate regulations imposing fines on people who breach waste management practices enforced by the Ministry of Climate Change, Environment and Energy, where those violations harm the environment or public health.
Waste management systems will be required on islands and in areas leased for economic or industrial purposes. The Utility Regulatory Authority will be responsible for verifying and monitoring compliance.
Waste generated outside the jurisdiction of an inhabited island must also be transported to a waste management centre located on an inhabited island.
The amendment removes the USD 0.13 plastic bag charge for bags sold or provided to customers at the point of sale. Bundles containing more than 50 plastic bags are also exempt from the charge, ending the double taxation that previously applied to such transactions.
The amended law further makes the importation of waste into the Maldives a criminal offence.
The sale, use and distribution of hazardous waste without a permit from the Environmental Regulatory Authority will also constitute a punishable offence.
Regulations required under the amendment must be formulated and published in the Government Gazette within 30 days of the law coming into force.
The amendment took effect immediately following its ratification and publication in the Government Gazette.