The Maldives government has postponed the enforcement of a ban on small plastic bottles for the second time, affecting the final items on the country’s list of banned single-use plastics.
New Enforcement Dates
A circular signed by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu announced new enforcement dates:
- Production and Import Ban: Water in plastic bottles of 1 liter or smaller will be prohibited from December next year.
- Market Distribution Ban: Distribution of these bottles will be banned from March 1, 2026.
Previous Timeline
Initially, the ban was supposed to take effect today, following the first postponement announced by President Muizzu in December last year.
Background
The list of single-use plastic products banned from import, production, and distribution in the Maldives was compiled by the previous administration under Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. The list includes 14 products, each with separate enforcement dates.
Current Status
To date, thirteen out of the fourteen products on the list have been successfully banned. This latest postponement affects only the final item on the list, small plastic water bottles, as the government continues its efforts to reduce plastic waste in the country.
Conclusion
The Maldives government remains committed to reducing plastic waste. Despite the delays, the enforcement of the ban on small plastic bottles reflects ongoing efforts to achieve sustainable environmental goals.
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