According to the bank website, The project will:

(i) establish an integrated regional solid waste management system in Greater Male consisting of collection, transfer, treatment using advanced waste-to-energy (WTE) technology, disposal, recycling, and dumpsite closure and remediation;

(ii) strengthen institutional capacities for solid waste services delivery and environmental monitoring, and improve public awareness in reduce-reuse-recycle (3R); and

(iii) reduce greenhouse gas emissions, create a cleaner environment, and improve climate change resilience.

The project area covers the Greater Male region, and 32 inhabited outer islands and 86 tourist resorts within the Alifu Alifu Atoll, Alifu Dhaalu Atoll, Kaafu Atoll, and Vaavu Atoll, with a population of 295,000 (53% of Maldives' total population).

The project will focus on solid waste treatment and disposal infrastructure as part of a phased approach to provide a full-fledged solid waste management (SWM) service to the project area through two ADB projects. It will complement the ongoing Greater Male Environmental Improvement and Waste Management Project, approved by ADB in 2018, which is assisting the government to (i) improve the upstream segment of the SWM chain, including systemic collection and containerized transfer; (ii) implement temporary measures, such as baling of municipal solid waste, as an adequate interim solution to stop open dumping and burning on Thilafushi island until a modern solid waste treatment and disposal facility is operational; (iii) treat and recover construction and demolition waste; and (iv) strengthen institutional capacity and public awareness for sustainable SWM service delivery. ADB and the government agreed on this phased strategy to match the implementation and financing capacity of the government, and to improve project readiness of the complex waste-to-energy (WTE) infrastructure (i.e., reclaim 15 ha of land, take advance procurement actions, and conduct an environmental impact assessment [EIA]) while implementing urgent measures.

The project is aligned with operational priorities 2 (accelerating progress in gender equality); 3 (tackling climate change, building climate and disaster resilience, and enhancing environmental sustainability); 4 (making cities more livable); and 6 (strengthening governance and institutional capacity) of ADB's Strategy 2030, as it will (i) enhance livability and environmental sustainability, including air quality and ocean health in the project area; (ii) mitigate climate change; (iii) improve infrastructure resilience to disaster and climate risks; (iv) strengthen institutional capacity and public awareness targeting women; and (v) improve standards for service delivery. The project is also in line with ADB's Action Plan for Healthy Oceans and Sustainable Blue Economies, as it will reduce land-based sources of marine pollution, including plastics, through adopting proven high-level technology and strengthening institutions for improved SWM.

Responsible ADB Officer Luca Di Mario
Responsible ADB Department South Asia Department
Responsible ADB Division Urban Development and Water Division, SARD
Executing Agencies Ministry of Finance (formerly Ministry of Finance and Treasury)
Ameenee Magu, Block 379, Male', Republic
of Maldives

ACCOUNTABILITY MECHANISM OF ADB

The Accountability Mechanism is an independent complaint mechanism and fact-finding body for people who believe they are likely to be, or have been, adversely affected by an Asian Development Bank-financed project. If you submit a complaint to the Accountability Mechanism, they may investigate to assess whether the Asian Development Bank is following its own policies and procedures for preventing harm to people or the environment. You can learn more about the Accountability Mechanism and how to file a complaint at: http://www.adb.org/site/accountability-mechanism/main