Newly built buildings not having a proper waste management system is a concern: WAMCO

The Waste Management Corporation Limited (WAMCO) has raised concerns that even the newly built buildings does not have a proper waste management system.

The concerns were raised by the Managing Director of the company, Yoosuf Siraj, on RaajjeTV's 'Falasurukhee' program.

Speaking at the program, Siraj noted that the way garbage collection services are provided in the Male' City is very different from other parts of the world. He went onto say that even though, easy arrangements for waste collection is included in the construction of new buildings in other countries, the buildings in Maldives were not constructed with this in mind.

Siraj stated that even though it was made mandatory for new buildings to have a proper waste management system, the buildings does not have such a system.

Siraj stated that this is done because many people do not understand waste management and accountability. However, he says that changing that perspective is the only way to fix the waste problem in the long run.

Furthermore, he stated that he aims to identify communal lands to solve the problem of street garbage dumping in the city.

Siraj stated that there is still much work to be done in partnership with the agencies to strengthen waste management services. He stated that there is a lot of regulatory work to be done.

From April this year, WAMCO has started collecting garbage from outside of households. The company aims to make door-to-door garbage collection a premium service, and introduce separate rates in the future.

The recent changes to price include MVR 2,560 per tonne from state agencies and government-owned companies and MVR 2,660 per tonne from private commercial collectors. Similarly, private individuals will be charged MVR 1,060 per tonne for waste brought to the transfer station and MVR 1000 for those who bring garbage without separating it.