Baa, Maalhos Hosts Expo to Combat Plastic Waste: "Israafu Madhu Misraabu – Fen Edition
Sunday 13th of August 2023
In a dedicated effort to tackle plastic waste and foster sustainable practices, Baa Maalhos council, in collaboration with Soneva Namoona, proudly organized the "Israafu Madhu Misraabu – Fen Edition" water filter expo. This transformative event aimed at raising awareness about environmental preservation and health benefits while showcasing effective water filtration solutions available in the Maldivian market.
Inspiring Eco-Friendly Choices
Taking place on August 11th, 2023, at B. Maalhos, the expo served as a platform for attendees to explore an array of water filter solutions. Representatives from renowned local water filter providers like Palm Tree Marine, Radiant Heat, and RETAW Solutions were on hand to interact with attendees and share insights. Festival-goers gained access to product catalogs, financing information for water filters, and special discounts offered by the providers.
For the local business community in Maalhos, a separate session was arranged. This segment was dedicated to fostering collaboration between water filter suppliers and local businesses, creating opportunities for ongoing after-sales services in the Baa Atoll.
Community Engagement and Sustainability
The expo "Israafu Madhu Misraabu – Fen Edition" is part of a larger community engagement initiative, involving Zero Waste Champions, educational institutions, NGOs, students, and water filter suppliers. This collaborative effort underscores the commitment to sustainable practices and the overall well-being of the community.
A pre-expo baseline study, conducted by Zero Waste Champions, unveiled that 77 percent of surveyed households expressed interest in using filtration systems if they were accessible. Participants emphasized the need for information on water filters, access to suppliers, and financing options. The expo aimed to bridge these information and accessibility gaps identified in the study, inspiring households to embrace water filters, especially with utility tap water connections set to reach all households in Maalhos by year-end.
A Forward-Looking Approach
Abdulla Shujau, President of Baa Maalhos Council, highlighted the expo's significance: “All households in Maalhos will soon have piped tap water available. While the water provided will be perfectly safe for consumption, we do recognize that a portion of the population might still prefer additional purification systems. This expo has provided the opportunity to explore sustainable alternatives to do that instead of relying on single-use plastic bottles.”
Khady Hamid, Reduce Manager of Soneva Namoona, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the expo's impact on island communities: "One of the major concerns with solutions to reduce plastic waste is that alternative solutions are not always affordable and accessible, especially in islands away from Male'. That is why we wanted to focus on bringing the vendors to Maalhos and provide the opportunity for people from Maalhos to also take this extra step towards reducing plastic waste. We hope that these systems become widely used by the public."
Soneva Namoona's vision extends beyond this expo, as they plan to continue organizing similar events. By offering practical alternatives to single-use plastic items, they aim to drive sustainable change within households and businesses.
By fostering awareness, accessibility, and sustainable choices, the "Israafu Madhu Misraabu – Fen Edition" expo stands as a beacon of hope in the ongoing fight against plastic waste, demonstrating the power of community-driven initiatives in shaping a greener future.