Govt proposes blanket ban on waste imports, concession on plastic bag charge

The government has submitted legislature proposing a blanket ban on waste imports, as well as concessions on the current charge on plastic bags.

The amendments to the Waste Management Act, sponsored by Ungoofaaru MP Ibrahim Shifaz, was presented at the Parliament on Tuesday morning.

According to the government, the amendments seek to impose a total ban on import of waste into the country, revise provisions on management of specific types of waste in order to ensure the sustainability of the entire waste management system, and make necessary amendments to resolve challenges in implementing the law.

One key amendment the bill proposes is to drop the plastic bag fee of MVR 2 on bundles of more than 50 bags.

The law currently requires for retailers who purchase plastic bags on wholesale to pay a charge of MVR 2 per bag to the state, and for individual shoppers to also pay the MVR 2 charge.

The amendment proposes dropping the charge during wholesale.

The government estimates the concession will result in a dip in state revenue.

According to information on the bill, the state has generated MVR 2.01 million in revenue from the plastic bag charge so far this year, and total MVR 5.9 million last year.

The other key amendment is with regard to the import of waste.

The law currently allows import of waste with a specific permit issued by the ministry. But the new amendment seeks to issue a blanket ban on import of all types of waste.