(COLOMBO, LANKAPUVATH) – Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Environment has taken measures to ban another 11 products made of polythene and plastic, the Minister of Environment Mahinda Amaraweera said.
The Ministry of Environment has taken steps to ban five types of products that are harmful to the environment with effect from March 31.
Minister Mahinda Amaraweera pointed out that most of the products in the second list are manufactured in spite of the fact that eco-friendly, as well as biodegradable alternatives can be used. He added that the country has to face a huge environmental damage due to the production of these products using polythene and plastic.
The list of 11 items to be banned include: shirt clips on shirts, disposable plastic spoons, forks, knife boxes, yogurt / ice cream spoons, food packets and cups, plates, polythene & plastic posters, advertisements, cutouts and advertising, single-use straws and stirrers, small shopping bags made of polythene and plastic up to 400-500 mm, and grocery bags, and small bottles less than 400 ml made of PET and PVC.
Also the use of polythene for incense and candle packaging, food wrappers used to prevent damaging of fruits and vegetables, personalized health care products containing micro plastic or micro plastic beads (personal care products), materials used to serve hot food and beverages such as string hopper trays, plastic spoons and cups, etc.), and bottles less than 750 ml made of PET and PVC will be banned under the regulation.
