In the Maldives, paradise comes with a hidden problem: plastic waste. But one resort has decided to turn their trash problem into treasure. Siyam World Maldives has just launched the country’s first full-scale Plastic Upcycling Center, transforming how island resorts deal with waste.
The new facility, built in partnership with local NGO CLEAN Maldives, takes discarded plastics like shampoo bottles, oil containers, and cleaning products and gives them a second life as sunbeds, planters, and outdoor furniture. It’s the first time a Maldivian resort has tackled waste at this scale, creating a circular economy hub right on the island.
And the impact doesn’t stop at the shores of Siyam World Maldives. The center also accepts plastic waste from the nearby community Kudafari, ensuring waste is diverted from the ocean and put to good use. In a shared-value approach, 60 per cent of the upcycled items will stay at the resort, while 40 per cent will be distributed by CLEAN Maldives, with many to be donated to parks, beaches, and communal spaces across the islands.
So far, the center is recycling around 800 kilos of plastic every month – more than 10 tonnes a year – while also creating new jobs for local people. Guests and school groups will soon be able to tour the facility too, offering hands-on experience and showcasing the importance of plastic reduction, recycling, and upcycling.
The project has already caught the attention of other resorts and NGOs, with many now exploring how they can share best practice and replicate the model.
By turning something harmful into something useful, Siyam World Maldives is showing that sustainability can be stylish, smart, and community-driven. Imagine sipping a cocktail by the pool on a sunbed that used to be a stack of old shampoo bottles? That’s sustainability in action.
