Maldives delays ban on 500ml–1 litre plastic water bottles to 2027

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has amended the presidential decree governing single-use plastics, postponing the ban on plastic water bottles sized between 500ml and 1 litre to 2027.

The amendment delays the prohibition on packaging, producing and importing single-use plastic water bottles in the 500ml–1 litre range. The ban, previously scheduled to take effect on 1 December 2025, will now come into force on 1 December 2027.

The related ban on the sale of plastic bottles in the same size category has also been postponed. Originally set for enforcement on 1 March 2026, it will now take effect on 1 June 2028.

The presidential decree issued on 1 December 2023 outlines a list of single-use plastics (SUPs) deemed harmful to the environment, along with the dates on which their import, manufacture and sale will be restricted.

The decree identifies 14 SUP items, including plastic-based products and those manufactured with plastic, for phased prohibition. These items include:

Plastic shopping bags below 30cm (including oxo-degradable and synthetic polymer biodegradable bags)

Plastic shopping bags below 50cm (including oxo-degradable and synthetic polymer biodegradable bags)

Sweet areca nuts in plastic packaging other than wrapping

Shampoo, soap, conditioner and lotion bottles of 50ml and below

Shampoo, soap, conditioner and lotion bottles from 50ml to 200ml

Water packaged in plastic bottles of 1 litre and below

Carbonated and non-carbonated beverages in plastic bottles below 500ml (excluding drinking water)

The list was first published during the MDP administration. Water packaged in bottles below 1 litre—including those under 500ml—will be the final items to be banned.