A number of companies have signed agreements with the Waste Management Corporation (WAMCO) to aid in the reduction of waste from the streets of the capital Male.
The companies which signed the agreement on Wednesday include the Save the Beach organisation, MRC Villingili Unit, Taste Me, Chillax, Food Bank and Lemon Grass. As per the agreement, WAMCO would be responsible for the disposal and recycling of the waste produced by these companies.
Other companies also signed agreements with WAMCO enlisting its services in waste management. IYMS Pvt Ltd and Secure Bags Maldives are among the companies who signed on to the project.
Deputy Environment Minister Ali Ameer said while speaking at the signing event that waste was related to the economy. He stated that the Maldivian economy was based on tourism, and that tourism is based on the environment. He noted that the environment could not be protected without the proper disposal of waste.
The Managing Director of WAMCO Ibrahim Fuad said waste can only be successfully managed once the public start taking up personal responsibility and become more aware about the proper disposal of waste.
"We have to be the type of people who do not throw 'Supaari' packets on the ground after eating them. We have to stop throwing the filters of our cigarettes on the streets after we are done smoking. We have to change our behaviour regarding such small matters," Fuad said.
Fuad said that Maldivians were quick to pick up good habits once presented with them. He noted that many members of the public were separating plastic once they started disposing at the WAMCO Industrial Village. WAMCO has planned to carry out a program jointly with the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority to clean up the streets of Male on Saturday.
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