The Central Environmental Authority (CEA) yesterday reiterated that the ban of manufacturing and selling certain single use plastic (SUP) consumer items will take effect from January 1 next year in a bid to make Sri Lanka, free of plastic and Polythene waste.
Accordingly, the manufacturing of ear buds having plastic stem, popularly known as cotton buds, inflatable toys , sachets which are having capacity of 20ml ( 20g) or below, filling or formulation of agro- chemicals or pesticide in plastic bottles made of PET (Polyethylene terephthalate) and PVC (Poly-Vinyl-Chloride) are banned from January 1.
In addition to this a regulation will be brought for marking a plastic identification number (1 to 7) on each and every plastic or polythene product in view of facilitating the plastic recycling industry. Speaking to Daily News Business CEA, Deputy Director General (Waste Management), Eng. Upali Indraratna said this decision was taken following long term studies and research conducted by CEA on the country’s increasing environmental pollution due to the excessive use of plastic by people without following proper waste management disposal methods.
He highlighted the country’s environment is gradually deteriorating due to the dumping of post consumer single use plastic packaging and burning them in the open environment. The CEA, DDG further revealed that as a result of this situation, both soil and water bodies in the country have faced endurance damage. This situation has also affected not only the environment but to its living beings and also the fauna and flora.
The CEA, DDG further explained that manufacturing of certain other items such as single use food wrapping papers made of Polythene and Sili-Sili bags, shopping bags, grocery bags made out of HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) have already been banned since September, 2017.
“Spoons of yogurt cups, straws of soft drink bottles and similar other items which are harmful to the environment will also be banned in the country gradually,” he said.
Quoting statistics CEA, DDG Eng. Indraratna said due to the country’s inland environmental pollution, more than 70 MT of Single Use Plastic waste are moving in to the sea almost every day through major rivers and other minor waterways. Meanwhile the Land based pollution load due to Single Use Plastic has been estimated to 400-500 MT.
“This situation also creates immense problems not only to the people carrying activities in the Sea but to the living beings in the ocean and causing serious health impact to people who use sea food.”
