Soneva Namoona, a local NGO leading innovative waste management initiatives, celebrated its sixth anniversary at Soneva Fushi. Representatives from eleven councils across Baa and Noonu Atolls joined to mark the progress made in promoting environmental sustainability in the Maldives.
Soneva Namoona and the island councils collaborated to create groundbreaking waste management solutions. These efforts have reduced harmful practices, such as open burning of waste. Over the past six years, Soneva Namoona introduced several flagship programs. These programs focused on alternatives to single-use plastics, a five-step sustainable waste management model, and initiatives to inspire a love for the ocean.
The achievements from these initiatives are significant:
- Soneva Namoona eliminated 1 million single-use plastic bottles from entering the ocean or being burned. It produced and distributed 500,000 liters of Soneva Water in reusable glass and large plastic containers.
- The organization diverted over 800 tons of waste from ocean dumping and burning. It provided infrastructure, logistics, and consultancy support in Baa and Noonu Atolls.
- Soneva Namoona sent 500 tons of materials for recycling, demonstrating the communities’ commitment to sustainable waste practices.
- Soneva Namoona engaged more than 6,000 individuals through various training sessions and outreach programs. These initiatives promoted environmental stewardship and sustainable behavior change.
Partnerships Drive Lasting Change
Gordon Jackson, a Namoona Champion with over 12 years of experience in innovative waste management in the Maldives, shared his perspective:
“Our partnerships with island councils have resulted in many innovative practices which work well in our small island context. The formalization of these practices through a model or framework for sustainable waste management is a great collective achievement”
Ibrahim Abdul Rahman, Vice President of the Baa Atoll Council and President of the Kendhoo Island Council, reflected on the transformation:
“Waste management was once a low priority. But over the past six years, with Soneva Namoona’s incredible support, we’ve achieved progress far beyond what we imagined. Together, we’ve demonstrated a blueprint for sustainable waste management practices across the Maldives.“
Expanding the Model Nationwide
Dhimsha Abdul Majeed, an island council member from N. Kudafari, stressed the importance of scaling up efforts:
“To maximize the impact of government investments in waste management and elevate the nation’s practices to a truly sustainable standard, I strongly call upon the current administration to adopt and implement the Namoona Sustainable Waste Management Model across all Maldivian islands. This model offers a practical and proven pathway to achieving long-term environmental resilience.“
Azhoora Ahmed, President of Soneva Namoona, discussed the organization’s future plans:
“In 2025, Soneva Namoona is committed to embarking on an ambitious journey to scale its impact across Maldives. We invite the government, private sector and like-minded organizations to join us in creating a future where sustainable waste management becomes a nationwide reality.”
A Vision for a Sustainable Future
Soneva Namoona’s achievements demonstrate the power of collaboration and innovation. As the organization works to expand its model across the Maldives, it hopes that sustainable waste management practices will become standard nationwide, ensuring a cleaner, healthier environment for generations to come.
Soneva Namoona is a pioneering NGO committed to implementing island-specific and inter-island waste management solutions across the Maldives. Its focus on sustainability, community well-being, and environmental stewardship has led to impactful programs in various atolls, driving long-term positive change.
