Colombo’s Glass Waste Crisis

Residents of Colombo are facing growing frustration due to the persistent refusal by Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) and private waste collection services to accept discarded glass items.

This includes broken window panes, burnt-out fluorescent tubes, used light bulbs, and shattered or unwanted household crockery such as bottles, tumblers, plates, cups, and saucers. The absence of a proper mechanism for collecting and disposing of glass waste has left citizens with little choice but to store these items indefinitely, causing unnecessary clutter and potential safety hazards in homes and even in schools.

We urge Colombo Municipal Commissioner Palitha Nanayakkara, along with the managements of private waste collection services, to take immediate steps to address this glaring gap in waste management. How long are residents expected to hold onto glass refuse without a viable disposal solution?

Mohamed Zahran

Colombo