October 26, 2023 – Siyam World Maldives has partnered with local NGO CLEAN Maldives to launch the Maldives’ first large-scale plastic upcycling center, a significant step towards sustainable tourism and community engagement. The center transforms discarded plastic into usable items, creating jobs and fostering environmental awareness.

<img src="” alt=”Siyam World Maldives Plastic Upcycling Center”>

Located at Siyam World, the center processes approximately 800 kilograms of hard plastics monthly, diverting over 10,000 kilograms annually from landfills. This innovative facility upcycles discarded materials like oil containers, cleaning product drums, and shampoo bottles into practical items such as sunbeds, planters, and outdoor seating. The project extends beyond the resort’s own waste; it also accepts plastic from the nearby inhabited island of Kudafari, strengthening community ties and promoting shared responsibility for environmental stewardship.

<img src="” alt=”Upcycled products at Siyam World”>

The upcycled products are distributed in a shared-value model: 60% remain at Siyam World, while 40% are distributed by CLEAN Maldives for use in public spaces on Kudafari and other nearby islands, including parks, beaches, and communal areas. This collaborative approach exemplifies the power of public-private partnerships in addressing environmental challenges in island nations.

The center’s creation has also resulted in three new job opportunities within the local community, further highlighting its positive social impact. Beyond its operational benefits, the facility serves as an educational resource. Siyam World plans to offer guided tours for guests and school groups, providing a hands-on demonstration of plastic reduction, recycling, and upcycling principles.

<img src="” alt=”Inauguration ceremony at the upcycling center”>

Formally inaugurated by Abdulla Thamheed, Vice President of Sun Siyam Resorts, and Hafsath Aleem, President and Founder of CLEAN Maldives, the center is part of the World Bank-funded Plastic Free Rivers and Seas for South Asia (PLEASE) Project, implemented by SACEP with support from UNOPS. The launch event was attended by representatives from UNOPS, the World Bank, local councils, and Siyam World staff, underscoring the collaborative nature of this initiative.

The project’s success is already inspiring other resorts in the Maldives to explore similar collaborations with local NGOs, signaling a broader shift towards more responsible and community-focused tourism practices. This initiative directly supports several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure).

<img src="” alt=”Siyam World resort”>

While operating independently of Sun Siyam Resorts’ Sun Siyam Cares sustainability framework, the upcycling center aligns perfectly with its core values: investing in long-term solutions, empowering local communities, and fostering practical innovations that drive meaningful change. The project showcases how waste can be transformed from a problem into a resource, creating tangible benefits for the environment, the community, and the resort itself.

Siyam World’s commitment to education extends beyond the center’s operations. By welcoming school visits and offering guided tours, the resort aims to raise awareness and inspire action among both guests and the local community, providing a tangible example of the circular economy in action. This initiative demonstrates that a commitment to sustainability can be both environmentally responsible and economically viable, setting a new standard for eco-conscious tourism in the Maldives.