Proper management of polythene & plastic
Meanwhile the Cabinet has also approved the
appointment of a Committee of Experts to prepare a national policy and an
action plan on the use of polythene, plastic and bio-degradable plastic in Sri
Lanka.
There is an increased use of plastic and polythene related products in the society and improper use, disposal and burning of these products have caused many social, environmental, health and economic issues.
There is an increased use of plastic and polythene related products in the society and improper use, disposal and burning of these products have caused many social, environmental, health and economic issues.
Daily per capita use of polythene is about 0.5
kg and about five hundred thousand (500,000) tons of polythene materials are
imported to Sri Lanka annually, according to the government.
It said that while some countries in the world
have completely prohibited the use of polythene, some have allowed to use
selected plastic products.
“Considering the need of controlling
environmental impacts caused by polythene and the fact that a numerous
employees are engaged in plastic and polythene related industries, the proposal
made by the President Maithripala Sirisena, in his capacity as the Minister of
Mahaweli Development and Environment, to appoint a Committee of Experts to
prepare a national policy and an action plan on the use of polythene, plastic
and bio-degradable plastic in Sri Lanka, was approved by the Cabinet of
Ministers,” the release said.