Soneva Namoona, a local NGO pioneering waste management solutions in the Maldives, recently celebrated seven years supporting local islands to better manage their waste. During celebration events in the 11 participating islands, improvements in waste management were showcased, and islands were donated waste compacting machines. Compacting machines help reduce the volume of waste, making storage and transport more efficient, improving organisation at waste management centres, and reducing the risk of waste entering the ocean during transit.

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Waste management remains a growing challenge for island communities across the Maldives, driven by increasing development and consumption, often without adequate island-level systems in place. Soneva Namoona works in partnership with local islands to establish and operate effective waste management centres, supporting the separation, sorting and recycling of waste, while also promoting a reduction in single-use plastics. In Baa Atoll, where many partner islands are located, Soneva Namoona has helped prevent the production of over 1 million single-use plastic bottles through the Soneva Water bottling plant in B. Maalhos.

The NGO has supported islands dramatically reduce the amount of garbage that is burned in open bonfires, and helped improve household waste collection and composting — creating a cleaner environment for local communities, and reducing litter in the islands, on the beaches, and in the sea.

Local island communities are now actively participating in waste management systems, with strong engagement from households, council teams and waste management staff.

Azhoora Ahmed, president of Soneva Namoona, said:

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“As we celebrate this milestone, I find myself reflecting on where we began, and the team members who have driven the programmes forward over the last seven years, and the community members who have worked so hard to make them a reality. The Namoona partner islands show that sustainable waste management is achievable when solutions are built together and truly owned by the community.”

Soneva Namoona has also launched national and community-level programmes, including:

Fehi Madharusa – the nationally adopted green school initiative

Alun Balun Resale Market – promoting circular economy through second-hand clothing

Kaadhu Satheyka – promoting household-level composting and organic waste reduction.

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Soneva Namoona has contributed to national policy by advocating for improved waste management systems, with elements of the ‘Namoona Model’ now reflected in government rollouts.

Soneva Namoona’s partner islands include Kendhoo, Kudarikilu, Kamadhoo, Kihaadhoo, Dhonfanu, Dharavandhoo, Maalhos, Magoodhoo, Lhohi, Kudafari, and Makunudhoo. These islands have served as key sites for piloting and refining innovative waste management solutions through long-term community partnerships.

Soneva Namoona is scaling its work across the Maldives, and any island community can join the partnership by emailing: inspiremgr-namoona@soneva.com