Scrap collectors playing exemplary role in recycling
The initial steps taken by the Central Environment Authority towards recycling was good. But with time, the enthusiasm declined and the projects became unsuccessful."
Individuals running small-scale operations recycling waste are playing a valuable role in Sri Lanka, where handicapped, unproductive municipal authorities are unable to manage the ever-mounting piles of garbage.
Many of these recyclers are making a living by gathering scrap metal, plastic bottles, cardboard and the like.
E.A.Seneviratne from Keththaramaya, Maligawatta has been collecting waste plastic, metal, bottles, and paper from homes for 25 years. At age 60, he continues his daily rounds collecting to earn a meagre Rs 2,000 a day. He sells the material to a buyer who then sells it to recycling plants. He said he has debts to settle so he continues.
Another person running a small shop down Maligawatta Road, has also been collecting brass, copper and aluminium for recycling, for three years now.
Mohommed Fazil who supervises the operation said: “We collect the materials and send it to a factory in Wellampitiya which in turn compresses and forms bricks of brass, copper and aluminium to be sold to industries.’’
Biodiversity Conservation and Research Circle Chairman, Supun Lahiru Prakash told the Sunday Times that these individuals play a significant role in recycling. “They are poor and they do this for a living, but their contribution towards recycling is immense.’’
He laments that recycling has not caught on in Sri Lanka and there is no national policy for waste management.
The public is not aware of the concept of waste management, he said. The public is unaware of recycling plants, while recycling facilities are insufficient.
“The initial steps taken by the Central Environment Authority towards recycling was good. But with time, the enthusiasm declined and the projects became unsuccessful,’’ he claimed.
He attributes the diminishing enthusiasm among people to the lack of economic benefits to be gained by recycling. He said voluntary initiatives must be encouraged.
Mr Prakash emphasised that awareness programmes must reach schools and villages.
Just like garbage, electronic waste is another unsolved issue.
Ceylon Waste Management a Board of Investment-approved company established in 2010, deals with hazardous electronic waste.
The Group Managing Director, Sudesh Nandasiri told the Sunday Times that it is the only company in the business of recycling, while others export the materials for recycling.
“Home appliances, printed circuit boards and cathode ray tubes are some of the materials we recycle,’’ he said.
Mr. Nandasiri said e-waste is collected every month based on inquiries. The company also purchases from vendors.
But, he said, public awareness of e-waste recycling remained low.
The director of the Waste Management Unit of the Central Environmental Authority (CEA), Ajith Weerasundara, said recycling should become a habit in every household.
But, he said, local authorities are ill equipped to facilitate separation of waste and recycling.
He said the Ministry of Provincial Councils and Local Government has initiated a project for solid waste management, in which waste will be segregated in households.
Mr Weerasundara said those engaged in recycling to make a living, are admirable. “They are the only people who are involved in the initiative and they do a great job.’’