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Use of polythene, rigifoam, shopping bags banned

12 July 2017 11:50 am - 15     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Central Environment Authority (CEA) has banned the use of polythene lunch sheets, rigifoam boxes and shopping bags, with effect from 1st of September.

In a bid to make Sri Lanka polythene-free and find a sustainable solution to solid waste management, President Maithripala Sirisena has announced a number of measures including the ban on the import, manufacture and sale of lunch sheets and a ban on the use of polythene for decorations.

Cabinet approval was granted on Tuesday for a series of measures proposed by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Mahaweli Development and Environment to gradually end the use of polythene and thus minimize its environmental impact.

While banning polythene use for decorations the manufacture, sale and use of polythene of 20 microns or less for essential activities on the approval of the Central Environmental Authority (CEA).

The short term measures also include the ban on the manufacture, import or sale of containers, plates, cups, spoons made of polystyrene, the ban on the sale of processed or cooked meals packed in polythene containers and the promotion of paper, cloth or reed bags or biologically degradable plastics for customers when purchasing items in stores, prohibition of burning polythene and plastic in open places introduction and promotion of biologically degradable polythene and plastics.

Tax concessions would be provided to import machinery for the manufacture of biologically degradable plastic and a cess tax of 15% on the import of plastic raw material and goods.

In the long term the use of recycled plastic products would be banned.

Cabinet Spokesman and Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne told the reporters at the weekly cabinet news briefing yesterday that the short term measures will be effective from Tuesday after the proposals were approved by the Cabinet.

The long and medium term measures need legislative approval for their implementation and therefore it takes time.

Responding to a journalist, he said people would go back to good old habits of using perishable lunch wrappers and food containers when the ban of polythene was in place. (Sandun Jayasekara)

Video by Danushka


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  Comments - 15

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  • Citizen Wednesday, 12 July 2017 12:24 PM

    A very good move. many counties have done this. although too late, good decision. all people must corporate.Citizen

    dinesh Wednesday, 12 July 2017 12:42 PM

    wow. this is a huge and positive decision. well done. via DM iOS App

    mnsmart Wednesday, 12 July 2017 12:49 PM

    Dont change, implement

    adrian Wednesday, 12 July 2017 12:50 PM

    Step one in garbage management. good move.

    Ishanthi Wednesday, 12 July 2017 03:17 PM

    A very good decision to put into effect

    pradeep Wednesday, 12 July 2017 03:22 PM

    Good move to but ,can we move with SL People

    udaya Wednesday, 12 July 2017 03:37 PM

    Very Good move, before 1978 people managed without polythene.

    nadarajah rajendra Wednesday, 12 July 2017 08:49 PM

    marvvellous decision even Germany champion in enviormental care still using the polythene bags and packings.nadarajah rajendra

    Abdul Samad Thursday, 13 July 2017 09:49 AM

    Import Casava Plastic bags. Which is biodegradable and made out of casava plants.. We can import it from Magascar and Indeonesia.

    Mr.Perfect Thursday, 13 July 2017 10:30 AM

    This is a very good and wise move. Please implement this ASAP. The public are more to blame for this out break of dengue as they dispose rubbish all over the place and then blame the government.

    OBSERVER Thursday, 13 July 2017 11:03 AM

    very good decision,if can be implemented,moron politicians and their henchmen,who has involved in this business,will make sure not to implement this,How many regulations has been ended up in that way.

    Katie Thursday, 13 July 2017 11:33 AM

    before the polythene and plastic items came into play, I remember we used paper bags everything was given in paper bags how this paper industry lost its worth is sad

    ceylon Thursday, 13 July 2017 05:20 PM

    realyyyyyy.drugs also banned.is that law is functioning .cant find drugs in the country now . via DM Android App

    Christine V Thursday, 13 July 2017 07:39 PM

    A very positive and constructive move! Hope it will be implemented!!!

    Pubuditha Manathunga Friday, 01 September 2017 09:38 PM

    In the long run this is very good action to take.But without a a good alternative for the polythene bags us small guys are having a hard time to adapt. Any ideas anyone for a cost effective substitute to the polythene bags ?


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