Use of six plastic based products banned from today
The production of six types of plastic and polythene based products will be banned for local use from today, the Environment Ministry said.
Accordingly, disposable polythene and plastic, PET bottles (Polyethylene Terepthalate), lunch sheets less than 20 microns, sachets (non-food and non-pharmaceutical) and air-filled plastic toys will come under the ban.
However, Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said there would be no restrictions on the export of these products.
He said considering the requests made by several companies, which have already manufactured the relevant products, a grace period of three months would be given for marketing purposes.
“The above mentioned items which are currently in shops can be sold till stocks last. No inspection on such sales outlets will be carried out,” he said.
“However, the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) will conduct periodic factory inspections to determine whether they are being manufactured for local use,” he added.
Minister Amaraweera said that the gazette notification in this regard has already been issued.
About 5.9 percent of urban solid waste collected daily comprises polythene and plastic. At least 400 tonnes of plastic and polythene are collected daily in the country.
The use of PET bottles is estimated to be around 1,250 tonnes a month. Of this, only 250 tonnes are recycled.
Accordingly, disposable polythene and plastic, PET bottles (Polyethylene Terepthalate), lunch sheets less than 20 microns, sachets (non-food and non-pharmaceutical) and air-filled plastic toys will come under the ban.
However, Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said there would be no restrictions on the export of these products.
He said considering the requests made by several companies, which have already manufactured the relevant products, a grace period of three months would be given for marketing purposes. “The above mentioned items which are currently in shops can be sold till stocks last. No inspection on such sales outlets will be carried out,” he said.