Plastic Products – Still in Abundance Are we following the laws in place?

Sri Lanka will remember the law that was enacted in 2017 banning the use of ‘sili sili’ polythene bags. Now, 2 years since the said law was passed, one has only to journey along the streets of Colombo and its suburbs to see that plastic shopping bags are still very much in use. Other plastic products are also sold in abundance in shops and by street hawkers.

In order to find out about the regulations that are still in place today regarding plastic and polythene use and the extent to which they are being abided by, an RTI (Right To Information) application was submitted to the Central Environmental Authority and information was obtained.

It should be noted that manufacturers of polythene products are required to keep in mind the permitted thickness of their products. According to the CEA,

Regulations published under the Gazette notification No. 2034/33 dated Friday September 01st 2017 prohibit:

 

• The manufacture of Polythene or any Polythene product of twenty (20) microns or below in thickness for in-country use; or

• The sale, offer for sale, offer free of charge, exhibition or use of polythene or any polythene product which is twenty (20) microns or below in thickness within the country:

 

Provided that polythene or any polythene product of twenty (20) microns or below in thickness may be permitted to be used with the prior written approval of the Authority for the purposes specified in the schedule gazette.

The density of polythene bags has also been taken into consideration with the law,

Gazette No. 2034/35, dated 2017.09/01 Order to prohibit the Manufacture of any bag of high density polythene (Grocery Bag)

Adherence to these laws is ensured by the Central Environmental Authority via raiding programmes, which aim to see that there is compliance with the regulations. The CEA says that actions will be taken against violators according to the provisions of the National Environmental Act (NEA).

Other than shopping bags, there are also laws that concern other plastic products. These are:

 

Gazette No. 2034/34, dated on 2017.09.01 Order to prohibit the Manufacture of Food Wrappers (Lunch Sheet) from polythene as raw material.

Gazette No. 2034/38 Order to prohibit the manufacture of food containers, plates, cups, spoons from expanded polystyrene. 

Thus far, the public’s response to these environment-focused actions has been noticeably negative although there have also been those who have lauded the efforts. Many lamented the ease of shopping that would be lost without the sili sili bag. There is also very often disregard for such laws especially if they cause people any inconvenience.

The environment and plastic pollution, however, remain topics of urgency and much concern. From the government’s, environmentalists’, and other experts’ sides , it is clear that firm enforcement of laws, education and the introduction of satisfactory substitute products, material and solutions are needed respectively. From the business communities’ side, adoption of environment-friendly product manufacture, techniques and technologies must be pursued.

Finally, the general public should be educated, aware and concerned enough to take the trouble to make lifestyle changes when and where possible.

(*The above laws and further relevant information can be viewed on the Central Environmental Authority’s official website, www.cea.lk)