Polythene is recyclable if clean, says official

Banning polythene, following the Meethotamulla tragedy, would be ill-advised, as most of it can be recycled, say those engaged in recycling polythene.

Anura Wijethunge, President- Polythene Manufacturers & Recyclers Association (PMRA), affiliated to the Sri Lanka Recyclers Association (SLRA), told the Sunday Times that, only a few polythene items are not recycled in the country. Mr Wijethunge, who is also a Director at Polymers (Pvt) Ltd, said these included biscuit packets and milk food packets, due to the aluminum foil contained in the packs.

Used lunch sheets were also not being recycled, as they are covered with food and oil, and the process to clean and recycle them is not economically viable, Mr. Wijethunge said, adding that, however, they oppose an immediate, outright ban on lunch sheets, as there is no available alternative yet.

“The Central Environment Authority (CEA) has proposed a ban on lunch sheets less than 40 microns, from the current level of 20. But they haven’t even properly enforced the existing ban on sheets less than 20 microns. Illegal manufacturers of polythene, and even some legal ones, have been flouting the ban,” he charged.

Mr. Wijethunge said the best solution was to produce oxo-biodegradable lunch sheets that decay. He pointed out that polythene items produced here for export to European countries, for example, were biodegradable.

"What most people don't know is that, even polythene is recyclable, provided they are not contaminated," he added. “We even collect torn bags, as long as they are clean.”

Mr. Wijethunge said there were prospects of a small industry of collectors emerging, who would go around collecting polythene items such as bags, to be given to recycling centres, if there is more public awareness, which is sadly lacking.

He said it was important to introduce awareness programmes on garbage management at school level, as many schoolchildren are ignorant of recycling.