I N I T I AT I V E
Stepping Towards A More Sustainable Environment. By: Ihusana Thaufeeq
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t is undeniably obvious that our environment is worsening. Even a quick scroll through our social media would highlight at least one post about how much danger it is in. Who hasn’t heard that the Maldives will sink in a few years? What are we handing over to our future generations? These thoughts are unnerving to mull over. It is disheartening to ponder on whether your sole contribution could even make an impact. That being said, it is soothing to see how much we are aware of this, as a community. We are slowly, but finally moving forward to a more sustainable environment. It is times like these that we have to truly appreciate those who take a step further ahead than the rest of us.
Zero Waste Maldives Meeting the lovely couple behind this amazing initiative was truly a pleasure. Afrah and Hamsha established Zero Waste Maldives after discovering the waste management system that is set up here in the Maldives. Finding out that there is no proper arrangement for it made them conscious of how severe the problem is. Frustration was replaced with an urge to act on it as they launched Zero Waste Maldives in October 2018. Their first step was to provide alternatives to tackle the big four; bottles, bags, straws and toothbrushes, as they are the most difficult to dispose of. Simultaneously, they proactively began to participate in events and conduct sessions to create more awareness about single use plastics, how to manage waste and of their alternatives. Just recently, they were also successful in establishing refill stations here in the Maldives where you can fill your carry on water bottle, instead of purchasing plastic water bottles.
44 VIBE | issue 18 - 2019 vibemaldives.com
As for their next step, Afrah and Hamsha are planning to connect everyone who are working towards a more sustainable environment to a single platform; their website. In addition to creating an ecosystem with people who share the same concern towards the environment, the website will showcase the products and services of said people so that one day if you decide to invest in a more environment friendly alternative, all you have to do is visit zerowastemaldives.com. On top of that, they are also preparing to start an NGO in the near future and are looking forward to bringing in genuine members that will help them with future projects. “The ultimate purpose of zero waste is that nothing goes to landfill, nothing ends up in the ocean and nothing gets incinerated or open burnt. It is a very ambitious goal but it has to be the goal so that you will think about reducing drastically. We need to think about living minimally as well as leaving the smallest possible footprint.�
