Building Zero Waste Communities
One Island at a Time
Eliminate Waste, Manage Resources.
We work with communities, local councils, guesthouses, resorts and partners across the Maldives and globally to reduce waste, strengthen circular-economy systems, and create practical solutions grounded in local realities.
“If it cannot be reused, repaired, rebuilt, refurbished, resold, recycled or composted, then it should be restricted, redesigned or removed from production.”
– Pete Seeger
Services offered by ZWM/.
Zero Waste Maldives is a mission-driven organisation established in December 2018 that promotes a zero-waste, low-impact lifestyle across the Maldives. At its core, the organisation works to reshape how people, communities, and institutions perceive and manage waste, viewing waste not as trash but as a resource.
Towards this objective, we carry out projects with various partners across the Maldives at different levels. Explore some of the range of services we offer below.
Recent Projects
Improving Source Segregation of Waste in Fuvahmulah City
This project improves waste management in Fuvahmulah by strengthening segregation, data driven planning, and community participation. It trains WAMCO, the council, and the public, develops island level segregation standards, improves collection and IWMC operations, and pilots waste to wealth and sharing initiatives to reduce disposal and increase reuse.
Sustainable Waste Alternatives Program (S.W.A.P)
Zero Waste Maldives implemented the Sustainable Waste Alternatives Program under the Veshi Small Grants Program to reduce hazardous waste at source in Noonu Atoll. The project combines community engagement, targeted workshops, and stakeholder collaboration across multiple islands, while developing a Fibreglass Waste Management Guideline for the boatbuilding and repair sector. Aligned with national chemical management and POPs priorities, the initiative links community action with policy goals to improve hazardous waste management and environmental safety.
EPR Maldives
Zero Waste Maldives and Adelphi have developed a national Extended Producer Responsibility framework for the Maldives. The project focuses on designing a practical EPR system, defining roles and financing mechanisms, and producing a clear action plan for phased implementation that supports waste reduction, recycling, and shared responsibility between producers, government, and waste operators.
ZWM/.
