Maldives Delays Ban on Single-Use Plastic Water Bottles Until 2027

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has postponed the nationwide ban on single-use plastic water bottles, granting businesses and importers additional time to adapt to the environmental regulation. The decision, made on the recommendation of the Ministry of Tourism, delays the prohibition on packaging, production, and import of 500ml to 1-liter plastic water bottles from December 2025 to December 2027. The sale of these same plastic bottles has also been extended, with the implementation date moving from March 2026 to June 2028. This two-year extension provides relief to tourism establishments and retailers who rely on single-use plastic water bottles for their operations. The amendment to the Presidential Decree on the List of Single-Use Plastics Detrimental to the Environment has been formally published in the Government Gazette. The original decree was part of the Maldives' broader environmental protection strategy to reduce plastic pollution in the island nation's fragile marine ecosystems. Environmental advocates have expressed concern about the delay, noting the Maldives' vulnerability to plastic pollution as an archipelago nation. The extension period allows businesses to transition to alternative packaging solutions while balancing economic considerations with environmental protection goals.