Malé council to regulate private waste collection services
The council agreed to refer the matter to its Waste Management Committee to prepare the proposed regulations, fee structure and penalties.
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The Malé City Council has decided to draft regulations governing private businesses and individuals providing waste collection and disposal services in the capital, along with enforcement measures for non-compliance.
The decision was made during the council's meeting on Wednesday after a proposal was submitted by South Machangolhi councillor Farhaan Shafeeu.
The council agreed to refer the matter to its Waste Management Committee to prepare the proposed regulations, fee structure and penalties.
Presenting the proposal, Farhaan said the volume of waste generated by private businesses continues to increase and that the absence of a regulatory framework for private waste collection has made it more difficult to maintain cleanliness in Malé.
The proposal includes:
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Requiring all private entities providing commercial waste collection services to register with the council and renew their registration annually.
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Introducing scheduled collection times to reduce traffic disruption and ensure compliance with safety requirements.
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Requiring waste collection vehicles to have enclosed compartments to prevent waste from spilling onto public roads.
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Requiring vehicles to display the company's name and registration number.
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Allowing the council to suspend or revoke the registration of operators who fail to comply with the regulations.
Councillors who spoke during the meeting supported the proposal, stating that private waste collection is largely carried out without common operating standards.
South Maafannu councillor Ibrahim Laban Sharif said he recently stopped a waste collection vehicle after noticing wastewater leaking onto the road. He said two foreign nationals were inside the vehicle, one of whom fled when questioned, and added that neither held a valid visa.
Laban also proposed that Waste Management Corporation (WAMCO) vehicles be included under the registration system and required to pay the applicable operating fee.
South Galolhu councillor Ismail Haleem raised concerns that some private operators collect waste collection fees from households but later dispose of the waste in WAMCO street bins, shifting the disposal cost to the public system.
"There are instances of abuse here. This needs to be regulated within the system. If we don't address this, we can see things spiralling out of control," Haleem said.
He also said many vehicles used by private operators do not meet acceptable standards and proposed that minimum vehicle requirements be incorporated into the new regulations.
While WAMCO provides waste collection services across the Greater Malé region, private businesses and individuals also operate commercial waste collection services.
Waste disposal fees were revised in 2024. Public and private vehicles transporting daily waste, bulky waste and construction and demolition waste are charged MVR 0.50 per kilogram. Government offices and state-owned enterprises are charged MVR 2.66 per kilogram for all categories of waste, in addition to an entry fee of MVR 150 per vehicle for each disposal trip.
