HELPING LAAMU ATOLL BECOME PLASTIC FREE

On reef and beach cleans, single-use plastic bottles and plastic bags are among the most common items removed. In 2018, 2,800 pieces of rubbish were collected during reef cleans and 1,400 kg of trash were removed during beach cleans. But just removing these items from the environment will not solve the problem. MUI are tackling the issue at its roots, with education programs and by making single-use plastic alternatives affordable and accessible to all Laamu’s residents. 

In 2019, reverse osmosis water filters were donated to Maldives National University's Gan Campus and all five of Laamu Atoll's police stations, providing plastic-free drinking water to 380 people. This brings the total number of filters donated by Six Senses Laamu to 63, providing clean, plastic-free drinking water to approximately 4,384 people, and avoiding an estimated 1.6 million single-use plastic water bottles annually. Now, all inhabited islands and all schools have at least one location where residents can fill their reusable water bottles and avoid single-use plastic!

At the same time as working to ensure every resident in Laamu has access to drinking water and reusable bottles, MUI will be working with local shops to find alternatives for single-use plastic bags. Visitors to Six Senses Laamu can Pack with a Purpose and help bring items like canvas bags and reusable water bottles for Laamu’s residents.