Maldives Plastic Program
Malé, Maldives
Impact
This program directly supports local organizations as they strive to integrate sustainable solutions to plastic use in the Maldives. These programs include awareness raising, education and proper recycling. The project also allows travellers to learn more about environmental initiatives happening locally, becoming more responsible travellers.
Critical Need
The Maldives is made up of 99 percent water and one percent land. The country’s geography means that pollution to the oceans impacts the country drastically. Over 280,000 plastic bottles are discarded in the country’s capital, Malé every day. The Maldives continues to import plastic items from across the world, with limited infrastructure or awareness to allow for proper recycling. While reducing plastic use is a goal, collecting plastic thrown on the land and oceans
Our Involvement
Planeterra partnered with local travel company, Voyages, to integrate plastic pick-ups into all of G Adventures tours through the Maldives as of 2020.
The aim is to mitigate tonnes of plastic from inhabited beaches and incorporate local communities in the mission to reduce plastic waste from reaching the ocean. Planeterra provided the equipment necessary for travellers to engage in plastic clean-ups.
A local nonprofit facilitates the processing of collected plastic and sends it for upcycling in countries that have the proper infrastructure.
