SL to implement QR code-based refund system to tackle single-use plastic pollution

Sri Lanka is calling for proposals from suitable parties to implement a QR code-based deposit refund system to tackle the environmental harm created by single-use plastic pollution.

The Cabinet of Ministers this week greenlighted a proposal in this regard by the Minister of Environment.

The environmental harm caused by Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) bottles, High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS)cups and other single-use packaging materials is a growing concern in Sri Lanka as a result of irresponsible disposing of such items.

This irresponsible disposal, combined with the absence of an efficient return system, has resulted in the accumulation of plastic waste in sensitive environments.

To address this issue, the Central Environment Authority (CEA) has initiated two pilot projects for plastic waste management in Sri Lanka.
The results of these pilot projects have revealed the effectiveness of the temporary deposit refund methods for re-collecting empty containers.

In this approach, the seller retains a temporary cash deposit when the customer purchases the product, and this deposit is refunded when the empty bottles are returned. 

In this backdrop, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal presented by the Minister of Environment to invite proposals from suitable institutions to implement a QR code-based deposit refund system. 

The chosen institution, selected from the proposals received, will be entrusted with the task of implementing and managing this innovative system.