Siyam World has launched Maldives’ first dedicated Plastic Upcycling Center in collaboration with environmental NGO CLEAN Maldives. The initiative marks a significant step forward in promoting environmental wellness through sustainable hospitality practices, sparking wider conversations about responsible waste management with community-led environmental action.
The upcycling center is the first of its kind to operate at this scale in the Maldives at a resort. The facility is designed to process discarded plastic items, such as oil containers, cleaning product drums and shampoo bottles into products including sunbeds, planters and outdoor seating. While there have been small-scale recycling and upcycling efforts in other parts of the Maldives previously, it is vital to note that this facility operates with a broader scope and includes community engagement as a part of its concept.
In addition to handling plastic waste generated by the resort, the facility also accepts plastic from the nearby inhabited island of Kudafari, highlighting the resort’s commitment to supporting surrounding communities. Under the initiative, 60% of the upcycled items are retained by the resort, while 40% are distributed through CLEAN Maldives, with both partners donating selected items for use in public spaces such as island parks, beaches and communal areas.
The upcycling center currently recycles approximately 800 kg of hard plastics per month, adding up to over 10,000 kg annually. This initiative has also created three new employment opportunities, further strengthening the resorts’ commitment to the community. The center is also set to play an educational role, with guided tours for guests and school groups introduced as part of the resort’s environmental awareness efforts highlighting the importance of plastic reduction, recycling, and upcycling through real world solutions.
The facility was formally inaugurated during a ceremony attended by Mr. Abdulla Thamheed, Vice President of Sun Siyam Resorts, and Ms. Hafsath Aleem, President and Founder of CLEAN Maldives. It was developed as part of the Plastic Free Rivers and Seas for South Asia (PLEASE) Project, an initiative funded by the World Bank and implemented by SACEP with support from UNOPS.
All photos: Siyam World
