Sri Lanka Imports annually a considerable amount of plastic raw materials and finished products  and major portion of them remains as Post Consumer Plastic Waste which causes severe environmental problems. The objective of the National Post Consumer Plastic Waste Management Project (NPCPWMP) is to address the behavioral change necessary among the Sri Lankan consumers to ensure proper disposal of plastic waste and to put in place the necessary logistics to enable the collection and recycling of post consumer plastic waste. This program envisages the maximum recycling of plastic waste which also generates foreign exchange savings to the country.

National Post Consumer Plastic Waste Management Project, implemented by Central Environmental Authority began functioning on 21st May’2007. The Project was initially funded by 1% CESS imposed on imports of all Plastic raw materials and finished goods and thereafter it was increased up to 10% on reducing prices of virgin plastics due to a fuel price drop in 2009.  This project is being monitored by Plastic Partnership Committee the members of which were appointed from Private Sector and Government Institutions.

The National Post Consumer Plastics Waste Management Project will focus on three main programs.

1. Development of Regional Plastics Waste Collection System
2. Development of plastic recycling network
3. Awareness and Promotional Campaign

1. Development of Regional Plastics Waste Collection   System
1. Introduction of the separation of plastic waste from the solid waste generated by households and in public areas.
2. Development of a plastic waste collection system
3.Development of a system to clean and sort (by material) the collected waste
4. Connection of the waste collection system with a network of recyclers.

2. Development of plastic recycling network
1. Set up a comprehensive database of the plastic recyclers including capacity and materials.
2.Promote plastic recycling activities in remote areas.
3.Improve value addition in plastic recycling
4. Improve plastic recycling/ disposal capability in Sri Lanka to handle all post consumer plastic materials including composites
5.R & D on plastic recycling options
6.Development of the plastic industry in an environmentally friendly manner.

3. Awareness and Promotional Campaign

1. Awareness creation to local authorities and potential collectors. 
2. Creation of awareness of the positive benefits of plastic collection for recycling among households and schools.
3. Disseminating information on proper plastic collection system, including types, sorting and storage to regional collectors.
4. Media reinforcement through advertisements, talk shows, tele dramas and exhibition.
5. Island wide competitions to promote better awareness of plastic applications, use and disposal.

Development of a plastic waste collection system

1. Produced a database of collectors and recyclers.
2. University of Sri Jayewardenepura & CEA has entered into an agreement by  accepting the proposal  “Research on Current Status on plastic & polythene industry in Sri Lanka” part payment made to initiate the work. In next year, it will be completed and implement the recommendations accordingly.
3. Workshop conducted for the plastic collectors & recyclers
4. A plastic waste collecting & crushing center was built at the Manikfarm refugee camp to succeed the Uthuru Wasanthaya Development program  in association with the office of the Assistant Regional Commissioner for Local Government in Vauniya and Cheddikulam Pradhesiya sabha
5. The amount of 7171 nos. of tons was collected in the year 2009 with compared to the previous year amounting 7002 nos of tons.

PRODUCING FUEL OUT OF PLASTIC WASTE

The pilot plant of the waste plastic into fuel conversion pilot project is in the process of having built at Yatiyanthota. This plant is  a product under the three party agreement signed among Central environmental Authority, Department of Chemical & Process Engineering – University of Moratuwa and Mr. Ananda Vithanage, who has been inventing the process. For this purpose, we expect to use all types of mixed waste plastics and the products of this plant would be equivalent to petrol, kerosene, diesel and fuel gas. This project would advantage for minimizing the environmental pollution from post consumer plastic waste which is improperly disposed to the environment.

At present, the plant is completed. Also a separate company is already formed as “Polipto Lanka (Pvt.) Ltd.”  to implement this process with the viability of upgrading the facilities into commercial scale fuel manufacturing. Up to now the project expenses incurred is amounting Rs.19.0 million.