Sri Lanka

Prevention and reduction of plastic waste generation

Charge for single-use plastic products (e.g. shopping bags, straws)

Actions for encouraging sustainable / circular product design

We see a positive improvement from last two years

Comments:
We have a separate Ministry to promote small scale local industries. They introduced various types ecofriendly products. Eg. Clay bottles.

Some companies started to manufacture plastic alternative products.

Regulation on microplastics

Comments:
A separate project “Marine litter and microplastics: Promoting the environmentally sound management of plastic wastes and achieving the prevention and minimization of the generation of plastic wastes” is ready to implement. However, it is delayed due to some administrative issues

Measures

Achievements

Environmentally sound waste management

Enforcement of proper waste management system

Names of actions:
Compulsory separation of waste

Brief description:
It is now practiced in most of the areas. (it is around 60% separation)

Prevention of littering, illegal dumping and unintentional leakage of waste into the ocean

We see a positive improvement from last two years

Comments:
The “Surakimu Ganga” program is being carried out by this Ministry and all 103 rivers are being cleaned.

The U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Clean Cities, Blue Ocean program will fund pilot projects to minimize the flow of plastic pollution to the ocean.

Measures

Achievements

Cleanup of marine plastic litter

Collection of scattered waste on beach

Names of actions:

1. Plastic collection campaign on beach
2. Private Sector, NGOs and voluntary organizations are conducting some beach cleaning programme with Marine Environmental Prevention Authority (MEPA)

Brief description:

1. MEPA has introduced a regular beach cleaning programme with Samurdhi recipients (Members from low income families who are supported by government through a special programmecalled Samurdhi to upgrade their economy)

Removal of plastic litter from the ocean

Brief description:
MEPA is planning to conduct a program for removal of floating plastics.

Underwater clean up is carried out.

Volunteers/ diving groups are conducting collection of floating plastics

Measures

Achievements

Promotion of innovative solutions

Policy actions for encouraging plastic alternatives (e.g. biodegradable plastics, circular product design – including use of recycled materials or closed loop recycling and so on’)

We see a positive improvement from last two years

Comments:
The related activities are identified in the National Action Plan on Plastic Waste Management.

Public-private partnerships for creating and implementing innovative solution

Names of actions:
Agrochemical container collection programme

Brief description:
This was started in 2012 as a PPP programme. The plastic (as well as glass) containers collected are directed for recycling.

We are planning to improve the programme further by introducing container collection week for each growing season and a soft wear to network collection centers and collectors

Measures

Achievements

Education and awareness raising

Education system for encouraging public awareness on MPL issues

We see a positive improvement from last two years

Comments:
Most of the schools are implementing “zero waste” program and have banned bringing plastic bags to school.

Waste management is included in the school curriculum.

Awareness raising campaigns related to MPL

National level:

Brief description:
Government as well as private institutions are engaged in various type of awareness programmes

Local level:

Brief description:
Government as well as private institutions are engaged in various type of awareness programmes

International / Regional level:

We see a positive improvement from last two years

Comments:
Awareness programs will be carried out as an activity of “Marine litter and microplastics: Promoting the environmentally sound management of plastic wastes and achieving the prevention and minimization of the generation of plastic wastes” project, when it is started.

Measures

Achievements

Monitoring & Scientific research on marine plastic litter

Actions for encouraging monitoring / scientific research on plastic flows and ocean surface microplastics

We see a positive improvement from last two years

Comments:
Material flow analysis will be done in the project on “Marine litter and microplastics: Promoting the environmentally sound management of plastic wastes and achieving the prevention and minimization of the generation of plastic wastes”

Engagement in international/regional level actions for encouraging monitoring / scientific research on plastic flows and ocean surface microplastics

We see a positive improvement from last two years

Comments:
Presented a “resolution” on plastic waste to UNEA 4.