Crackdown on traders selling banned plastic items

Raids continue regularly to crack down on traders and manufacturers who violate the plastic ban, a top official of the Central Environment Authority said.

“Since the ban came into force on October 1, we have been conducting raids, but the issue is that within this short period, we were not successful in managing it totally,” said CEA Director General Hemantha Jayasinghe.

He said raids were being conducted by regional officers and the CEA’s investigation department, along with the Consumer Affairs Authority and the Sri Lanka Police.

While most businesses violated the ban, some restaurants and shops refrained from providing customers with plastic spoons for yoghurt and plastic straws for drinks. They said they could not afford to offer eco-friendly alternatives.

Mr. Jayasinghe says those who violated the ban would face legal action, and if found guilty, they would be imposed fines between Rs. 10,000 and 15,000.

“Sometimes we seize these banned items and destroy them after a court order,” he said. He said they adopted eco-friendly methods to discard these items. “We bury the seized items in a Dompe landfill, ensuring the stock does not reach the market.”

Mr. Jayasinghe said the fine was not sufficient and should be substantially increased to make the ban more effective. “We are amending the Environment Act,” he said.

CEA Director General Hemantha Jayasinghe

Still on sale: Plastic straws

However, the ban was implemented two months back, and “It seems as though we are in a good position right now” says Mr. Jayasinghe highlighting the fact that they were able to successfully carry out many raids with a positive outcome in a short period of time.

According to the Investigations

Some of the items that were seized following the raids Unit of the CEA, 754 raids have been carried out from October 1 todate.

Moreover, 59 warning letters have been sent to sellers.

Many dealers continue to sell the banned items, as a disposable plastic spoon costs about Rs. 10 (each) and a bendable plastic straw Rs. 150.