SJB MP Ajith Mannapperuma told Parliament yesterday (27) nearly Rs.270 billion is spent annually to import 450,000 tons of plastic into the country.
He said that it takes about 700 years for plastic to decompose. He said that if plastics are not recycled, there will be no soil in this country in many years to come.
Mannapperuma also said that if these are not recycled properly, more plastic pieces can float in the sea than fish. The SJB MP said that although 450,000 tons of plastic are imported per year, about 144,000 tons of used plastic are also added for reuse annually. However, less than 50,000 tons of plastic is recycled annually. He also said that 4,00,000 tons of plastic are washed into the sea and float on streams and rivers while accumulating on the sides of the roads.
Irangika Range