Unlocking sustainability: Exploring the benefits and challenges of implementing circular economy principles in the Maldives

While circular economy offers a promising solution for issues in sustainability, this area remains unexplored in the context of Maldives. Hence, this paper explores the circular economy's complex environment, looking at its benefits, challenges, and implications for sustainable development. A...

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Main Authors: Aminath Shaznie, Aishath Sinaau, Aishath Waheeda, Fathimath Muna, Wong Hoo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Research and Development Academy 2025-04-01
Series:Heritage and Sustainable Development
Online Access:https://hsd.ardascience.com/index.php/journal/article/view/872
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author Aminath Shaznie
Aishath Sinaau
Aishath Waheeda
Fathimath Muna
Wong Hoo
author_facet Aminath Shaznie
Aishath Sinaau
Aishath Waheeda
Fathimath Muna
Wong Hoo
author_sort Aminath Shaznie
collection DOAJ
description While circular economy offers a promising solution for issues in sustainability, this area remains unexplored in the context of Maldives. Hence, this paper explores the circular economy's complex environment, looking at its benefits, challenges, and implications for sustainable development. A concurrent mixed method design was used in the study, involving the simultaneous collection of quantitative and qualitative data, separate analysis, and integration during the interpretation phase. A total of 203 participants took part in the online survey and 17 participants took part in the interview. The quantitative data was analyzed by using descriptive statistical analysis and thematic analysis was used to analyze the qualitative data. As per the quantitative findings, the biggest challenges were identified as poor accountability of government organizations (3.97) and lack of infrastructure (3.97). Qualitative findings showed benefits such as reduced waste generation, enhanced resilience and sustainability, resource conservation, climate mitigation, and economic diversification. However, there are challenges to be overcome at both the micro and macroeconomic levels that were identified from this research. The findings of the research provide insight into circular economy benefits and challenges in Maldives, that could lead the government to draft effective policies and regulations. Moreover, the study’s findings contribute to the extant literature on the benefits and challenges of transitioning to a circular economy from a linear economy.
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spelling doaj-art-084af4796ca14ed0a06e98df1700656a2025-08-20T02:28:24ZengResearch and Development AcademyHeritage and Sustainable Development2712-05542025-04-017110.37868/hsd.v7i1.872Unlocking sustainability: Exploring the benefits and challenges of implementing circular economy principles in the MaldivesAminath Shaznie0Aishath Sinaau1Aishath Waheeda2Fathimath Muna3Wong Hoo4INTI International University, MalaysiaIslamic University of Maldives, MaldivesIslamic University of Maldives, MaldivesIslamic University of Maldives, MaldivesINTI International University, Malaysia; Wekerle Sandor Uzleti Foiskola, Hungary; Shinawatra University, Thailand While circular economy offers a promising solution for issues in sustainability, this area remains unexplored in the context of Maldives. Hence, this paper explores the circular economy's complex environment, looking at its benefits, challenges, and implications for sustainable development. A concurrent mixed method design was used in the study, involving the simultaneous collection of quantitative and qualitative data, separate analysis, and integration during the interpretation phase. A total of 203 participants took part in the online survey and 17 participants took part in the interview. The quantitative data was analyzed by using descriptive statistical analysis and thematic analysis was used to analyze the qualitative data. As per the quantitative findings, the biggest challenges were identified as poor accountability of government organizations (3.97) and lack of infrastructure (3.97). Qualitative findings showed benefits such as reduced waste generation, enhanced resilience and sustainability, resource conservation, climate mitigation, and economic diversification. However, there are challenges to be overcome at both the micro and macroeconomic levels that were identified from this research. The findings of the research provide insight into circular economy benefits and challenges in Maldives, that could lead the government to draft effective policies and regulations. Moreover, the study’s findings contribute to the extant literature on the benefits and challenges of transitioning to a circular economy from a linear economy. https://hsd.ardascience.com/index.php/journal/article/view/872
spellingShingle Aminath Shaznie
Aishath Sinaau
Aishath Waheeda
Fathimath Muna
Wong Hoo
Unlocking sustainability: Exploring the benefits and challenges of implementing circular economy principles in the Maldives
Heritage and Sustainable Development
title Unlocking sustainability: Exploring the benefits and challenges of implementing circular economy principles in the Maldives
title_full Unlocking sustainability: Exploring the benefits and challenges of implementing circular economy principles in the Maldives
title_fullStr Unlocking sustainability: Exploring the benefits and challenges of implementing circular economy principles in the Maldives
title_full_unstemmed Unlocking sustainability: Exploring the benefits and challenges of implementing circular economy principles in the Maldives
title_short Unlocking sustainability: Exploring the benefits and challenges of implementing circular economy principles in the Maldives
title_sort unlocking sustainability exploring the benefits and challenges of implementing circular economy principles in the maldives
url https://hsd.ardascience.com/index.php/journal/article/view/872
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