Hundreds of illegal lunch sheet factories operating across the country, Industry Association warns

By Indika Sri Aravinda

Colombo, Nov. 14 (Daily Mirror) - The All Ceylon Small Industries Association has raised alarm over the existence of between 400 and 500 illegal factories manufacturing substandard and banned lunch sheets used for wrapping food across the island.

According to the association, these factories continue to operate clandestinely despite a nationwide ban on the production and use of such lunch sheets, which are made from non-recyclable polythene. The government imposed the ban due to the severe environmental damage caused by polythene waste.

Although authorities have introduced a compostable lunch sheet approved for use in Western countries, including Europe, the association states that it is unsuitable for local use and too costly for many vendors, leading to widespread rejection by stores. As a result, these compostable sheets are not produced locally.

National Organizer of the Association, Mr. Nirukshana Kumara, further claimed that officials of the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) and the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) lack the technical expertise required to identify and regulate the illegal products currently in circulation.

He criticized the initial 2017 ban on lunch sheets, stating it was imposed without proper research or consultation. The association is now urging the government to impose a high tax on imported plastic bags and to implement a comprehensive program to recycle lunch sheets and other polythene-based products.

Mr. Kumara emphasized that Sri Lanka already recycles a wide range of materials — including iron, cardboard, tires, fabric, paper, and various waste products — and stressed that it is the responsibility of the government to establish a similar recycling mechanism for lunch sheets.