Male’ City Council to distribute reusable bags to 50,000 households

Male’ City Council has decided to distribute reusable bags to 50,000 households for free.

The decision was taken during the 100^th meeting of the fourth session held on Wednesday.

The government began enforcing an MVR 2 per plastic bag fee starting mid-April in an attempt to decrease the use of plastic across the Maldives. This garnered much criticism from the public.

During Wednesday’s meeting, the Council decided to distribute reusable bags to 50,000 households from Male’, Vilimale’ and Hulhumale’ Phase I and Phase II.

Male’ City Mayor Dr. Mohamed Muizzu said MVR 1.5 million will be incurred from the council’s budget for this effort.

“We will be distributing reusable bags made from environment-friendly material,” he added.

Each household will be getting a 25-bag pack, free of charge.

The decision to distribute bags was come to unanimously by the council members.

Waste Management Corporation (WAMCO) also began selling bin liners after the plastic bag fee came into force. Criticizing the government’s decision, Hulhumale’ MP Ibrahim Shujau, at Wednesday’s parliamentary sitting, accused the government of trying to extort money from the people through various ways.