Soneva Namoona, the Maldivian NGO pioneering waste management solutions, celebrated seven years of supporting local islands to better manage their waste.
During events held yesterday across all 11 participating islands, the organization highlighted measurable improvements in waste management and donated waste compacting machines to help communities further reduce waste volumes, make storage and transport more efficient, and cut the risk of waste entering the ocean during transit.
The NGO works in long-term partnership with local islands to establish and operate effective waste management centres that separate, sort and recycle waste, while also driving down single-use plastics. In Baa Atoll, where many of its partner islands are located, Soneva Namoona has helped prevent the production of over one million single-use plastic bottles through the Soneva Water bottling plant in B. Maalhos.
The programme has supported islands in dramatically reducing the amount of garbage burned in open bonfires, improved household waste collection and composting, and created cleaner surroundings for local communities — resulting in less litter on islands, beaches and in the sea. Local communities are now actively participating in the systems, with strong engagement from households, council teams and waste management staff.
Reflecting on the milestone, Soneva Namoona President Azhoora Ahmed said:
“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 several national and community-level programmes:
- Fehi Madharusa – the nationally adopted green school initiative
- Alun Balun Resale Market – promoting the circular economy through second-hand clothing
- Kaadhu Satheyka – advancing household-level composting and organic waste reduction
The NGO has contributed to national policy by advocating for improved waste management systems, with elements of the ‘Namoona Model’ now reflected in government rollouts.
The 11 partner islands are 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 sustained community partnerships.