Ban on single use plastic, polythene from January 1
The Cabinet of Ministers approved a proposal made by the Environment Minister to ban single use plastic and polythene from January 1 next year, Co-Cabinet Spokesman Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila said.
Speaking at the Cabinet media briefing held yesterday, Minister Gammanpila said that the regulations such as a ban on the production of polythene of 20 microns or less, a ban on the manufacture of polythene food wrappers, and a ban on the burning of polythene in the open environment have been enacted with effect from September 1, 2017 in order to reduce the environmental damage caused by polythene and plastics in the country.
Steps have also been taken by the Central Environmental Authority, to promote an alternative to the banned polythene while those regulations are in force.
The Cabinet of Ministers who convened on Monday (19) also agreed to introduce alternatives in reducing the single use plastic and polythene waste in line with discussions held with the stakeholders in managing polythene and plastic waste.
1. Prohibition of packaging of chemicals or pesticides in Poly Ethylene Terephthalate (PET) and Vinyl Chloride (PVC) containers and use packagings made of glass or other raw materials as an alternative.
2. Prohibition of sachets made of polythene and plastic less than 20mI/20g, use packages of 100 ml/100g or more as an alternative (excluding food and medicine). Prohibition of various inflatable toys made of plastic (excluding balloons, balls and floating toys) and the use of toys made of eco-friendly and hygienic raw material as an alternative.
3. Ban plastic cotton buds (excluding hygiene products) and use cotton buds made from biodegradable materials as an alternative.
4. Mandating to indicate the l-7 Codes Internationally recommended to promote the recycling of all plastic products.
(Source: Daily News – By Ishara Mudugamuwa)
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Brilliant.
in 60’s 70’s and 80’s we lived well without those.
Yeah Yeah
In the 60’s and 70’s, we lived without condoms too.
Pretty stupid if you are unable to understand condoms has nothing to do with plastic.
Indra. Are you going to use Banana leaves to rap up things like your mum did?
If enough banana leaves available I have no problem doing that. But I will be more concerned about keeping my meal outside a fridge until the lunch time arrives as people did then due to lack of refrigerators at work place.
The ban on plastics as packaging products will impact on the cost of consumer goods.
Is the population rich enough to bear additional costs?
This is similar to banning slaughter of cows.
What percentage of the population is rich enough to pay big money for imported beef while elderly cattle will be roaming the new super highways?
Well Yahapalanaya too banned polythene & plastics in 2017/18 I guess. It never implanted properly mainly because alternative wrappings were never introduced. There should be other employments for folk who going to lose their respective jobs.