WAMCO to Charge for Waste Collection Services Starting 1 January 2025

Business

Starting January 1, 2025, customers across all islands in the Maldives will be charged for waste collection services, with the billing integrated into the electricity bills, announced the Waste Management Corporation Limited (WAMCO).

This move follows WAMCO’s earlier initiative this year, which successfully merged waste collection charges with electricity bills for households in Malé City in collaboration with the State Electric Company Limited (STELCO). As of January 1, the same billing method will be extended to all islands served by WAMCO.

Currently, WAMCO provides waste collection services in Malé City, as well as in other urban areas, including Fonadhoo in Laamu Atoll and Maafushi in Kaafu Atoll. Recently, the company also began operations in Himmafushi, Kaafu Atoll, in December. However, until now, WAMCO has not billed for these services in those areas. With the new initiative, customers in all serviced islands will have their waste collection fees merged with their electricity bills. In islands where FENAKA Corporation Ltd. supplies electricity, the charges will be incorporated into FENAKA’s bills.

Mohamed Akram, Assistant Manager of Sales and Projects at WAMCO, explained the convenience of the new system during a segment on PSM News. "From January 1, in islands where we provide services, the billing will be integrated with STELCO or FENAKA electricity bills. Although the billing begins in January, customers will make payments starting in February for services rendered in January," Akram said.

Additionally, Ahmed Shafiu, WAMCO’s General Manager for Southern Operations, highlighted that this decision was made after consulting with relevant stakeholders. Starting from January 1, WAMCO will provide daily waste collection services, as opposed to the irregular collection schedule followed previously.

Shafiu further stated, "All customers currently receiving services will have their bills merged through the system. Unregistered customers will be incorporated via the tie processing procedure. For those who opt out of the waste collection service, a gate centre service will be available."

The waste collection service costs approximately USD 9.73 per household. Businesses are billed at a rate of USD 0.013 per litre of waste collected daily, with an additional gate fee of USD 13.75.

This initiative aims to streamline waste management billing and ensure consistent waste collection services across the Maldives.