Towards Osaka Blue Ocean Vision - G20 Implementation Framework for Actions on Marine Plastic Litter

Sri Lanka

Actions and Progress on Marine Plastic Litter
Last Update : 2024/07/05

Policy framework

Policy framework

Name:
● National Action Plan on Plastic Waste Management 2021-2030

Brief description:
Overall objective of the policy is enabling a healthy life and Cleaner Environment for all. National Action Plan on Plastic Waste Management 2021-2030 consists of 15 goals and Goal 05 represents focuses on Reduction of marine plastic pollution comprising macro and micro plastics flowing into ocean through land-based activities by 80% by 2030.

Preparation of Integrated Marine Litter management sectoral policy, strategy and action plan under the National Policy on Waste Management is being scheduled. This will be able to tackle the marine litter issue.

Legal framework

● Marine Pollution prevention Act no 35 of 2008 is being amended to incorporate necessary provisions to manage plastic litter and litter related issues

As 80-90% of the marine litter is generated from land based activities. All regulations related to waste management applies to this.

    Regulations are available on plastic waste management.
  1. Prohibit the manufacture of polythene or any polythene product of twenty (20) microns or below in thickness for in country use ; or (ii) the sale, offer for sale, offer free of charge, exhibition or use of polythene or any polythene product which is twenty (20) microns or below in thickness within the country : Provided that polythene or any polythene product of twenty (20) microns or below in thickness may be permitted to be used with the prior written approval of the Authority for the purposes specified in the Schedule hereto

    2. Regulations No. 2034/33 effective from 01st September 2017
    Prohibit the manufacture of food wrappers from polythene as a raw material for in country use; and (ii) the sale, offer for sale, offer free of charge, exhibition or use of food wrappers manufactured from polythene as a raw material within the country.

  2. Prohibit the manufacture of any bag of high density polyethylene as a raw material for in country use; and (ii) sale, offer for sale, offer free of charge, exhibition or use of any bag manufactured from high density polyethylene as a raw material within the country.
  3. No person shall burn openly or cause to, allow or permit the open burning of refuse or other combustible matters inclusive of plastics. 3. Any person who fails to comply with the regulations above shall be liable to an offence and punishable under Section 31 of the National Environmental Act, No. 47 of 1980.
  4. Prohibit the use of all forms of polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene products or polypropylene products as decoration in political, social,religious, national, cultural or any other event or occasion.
  5. Prohibit the manufacture of food containers, plates, cups and spoons from expanded polystyrene for in country use ; and (ii) the sale, offer for sale, offer free of charge, exhibition or use of food containers, plates, cups and spoons manufactured from expanded polystyrene within the country

Regulations of 2021 0n Single Use Plastics

Gazette No 2211/50 and dated 21 January 2021 – Plastic Material Identification standards ( Codes)

  1. These Regulations may be cited as the National Environmental (Plastic Material Indentification Standards) Regulations No. 01 of 2021.
  • Any manufactured plastic item shall be marked clearly in accordance with the Plastic Material Identification Standards specified in the Schedule hereto.
  • A plastic item manufactured using the material specified in Column I in the Schedule hereto, which is abbreviated in Column II, shall bear either one of the three symbol options specified in the corresponding entry in Column III of that Schedule.
  • In these regulations - “Plastic Item” means a product manufactured using polyethylene, terephthalate, high density polyethylene, low density polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, polystyrene, any other similar raw material or any mixture thereof.

PLASTIC MATERIAL IDENTIFICATION STANDARDS

Column I

Column II

Column III

Material

Abbreviation of the material

Symbol options

1

2

3

(1) Polyethylene terephthalate

PET or PETE

(2) High-density polyethylene

HDPE or PE- HD

(3) Polyvinyl chloride

PVC or V

(4) Low-density polyethylene, Linearlow-density polyethylene

LDPE or PE - LD

(5) Polypropylene

PP

(6) Polystyrene, expanded polystyrene, Styrofoam

PS

(7) Other plastics, such as acrylic, nylon, polycarbonate,
and multilayer combinations of different plastics

OTHER or O

02- 15
Gazette No 2211/51 and dated 21 January 2021

2. with effect from March 31st, 2021, prohibit the use of- (a) Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) material for packing agrochemicals used for any process, trade or industry; and

3. (b) any plastic item specified herein for any process, trade or industry:- (i) Sachets having less than or equal to a net volume of 20ml/ net weight of 20g (except for packing food and medicines).

4. (ii) Inflatable toys (except balloons, balls, water floating/pool toys and water sports gear).

5. (iii) Cotton buds with plastic stems (except plastic cotton buds used for medical/clinical treatment)

 

Indicators

The main indicator as per the National Action Plan is

  • Percentage reduction of plastics entering oceans from land

 

Other Indicators:

  • The amount plastic waste in selected shoreline stretches
  • Plastic waste distance ration kg/ km
  • Introducing indicator for floating plastic litter
    km / Square meter and Micro gramme/ square meter is in progress
  • No of beach Clean up Programmes
  • No of plastic traps established
  • No of beach caretakers recruited.
  • % of violators of the regulations and rectification of that
  • % of Increase in a recycling facilities

Measures

Introduce Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Yes
Reduce single-use plastic (shopping bags, straws etc.) by regulations or voluntary measures Yes
Restrict microplastics for cosmetics etc. No
Improve waste management recycling system Yes
Conduct clean-up activities for rivers and coasts Yes
Take action on fishing gear Yes
Install capturing trap/filter on drainage/river Yes
Promote innovative solutions Yes
Boost multi-stakeholder involvement and awareness-raising Yes
Share scientific information and knowledge: R&D and monitoring Yes
Participate in international cooperation through international organizations, multi-national groups, etc. Yes
Target region supported by your international cooperation initiatives/projects:
Southeast Asia 		Yes
Target region supported by your international cooperation initiatives/projects:
Africa 		No
Target region supported by your international cooperation initiatives/projects:
Latin America 		No

Measures

Achievements

Prevention and reduction of plastic waste generation

Charge for single-use plastic products (e.g. shopping bags, straws)

Names of actions:
Charge for shopping bags

Targeted products:
Shopping Bags

Brief description:
A joint Cabinet signed by Ministry of Trade and Ministry of Environment was submitted for pricing the shopping bags. But the Cabinet paper was not approved since issuing of shopping bags free was imposed for a settlement of a court case submitted by an individual based on consumer right. Consequently, The Attorney Generals Department sent their observations and agreed to solve this issue positively while addressing related legal issues arose due to another court case submitted by one of the NGOs.

Names of action 2:
Paper straws have been introduced for certain products.

Names of action 3:
Prevention of small water bottle use in fishing boats(less than 1 litter) and fishery harbors

We have seen a positive improvement over the last two years

Comments:
Cabinet has directed for the observation of Attorney Generals Department.
Discussions held to withdraw the legislation that related to issuing shopping bags free of charge as a settlement for a court case submitted by one of the NGOs on waste management that includes many related actions too.
There is a positive movement in the society as some shops inform two prices for the customers in which the price of the shopping bag is higher.

With the new intervention of preventing use of small water bottles We have used this mechanism in selected fishing harbour. Significantly reduce amount of plastic water bottle litter in fishery habrour basin

Numerical data, if any:
National Plastic Waste Inventory is pending.
Actions for encouraging sustainable / circular product design

Names of actions:
Alternative products are promoted. ( eg. Paper straws, Products made of reed, bamboo, etc)

Brief description:
Action has been taken to promote alternative products.
Suggested to reduce the quantity of plastics used in products
Certain products are re- designed to changed to facilitate recycling

We have seen a positive improvement over the last two years

Comments:
Cabinet decision on banning the following plastic products was made.

  1. Straws
  2. Cutleries including knife and pork and also spoons
  3. Cups
  4. Plastic garlands
  5. String hopper trays

Accordingly, preparation of the regulations to prohibit their usage is progressing. Importations which is the main source of the said product/materials is already banned.
Regulations on microplastics

No

Comments:
Banning of some single use plastic products controls micro plastics as well.

Numerical data, if any:
15 million shopping bags and 10 million lunch sheets are used daily.

Measures

Achievements
Environmentally sound waste management
Enforcement of proper waste management system

Names of actions:
National Policy on Waste Management

Brief description:
This is an umbrella Policy covering all types of Waste categories. Some have developed national action plans for management of certain types of waste categories.
Provision of waste reception facility at Commercial harbors and introduce regulation
Improve the facilities at fishery harbour to manage fishing vessel generated waste and introduce waste management plan requirement

We have seen a positive improvement over the last two years

Comments:

  • New state of the art waste disposal facilities established.
  • Waste to energy plant 10MW- Kerawalapitiya
  • Sanitary land fill – capacity 1200 Tons per day- Aravakkalu
  • Waste recycling improved
  • Material Recovery Facilities ( MRF) established
  • Integrated Institutional setup is for implementing the waste policy is yet to be established.

Numerical data, if any:
There are around 335 waste collectors and recyclers registered under the Central Environmental Authority.
More than 30000 tons of waste oil collected. More than 500 ton of plastic waste collected after establishing the waste reception facility.

Prevention of littering, illegal dumping and unintentional leakage of waste into the ocean

Names of actions:

  • Introduce sea dumping regulation under this regulation dumping plastic waste and other materials are prohibited
  • Established litter traps at selected chanals to prevent litter enter to sea
  • Beach caretakers appointed to clean the beach daily.
  • Beach clean up programmes conducted.
  • Some stretches of the beach is being maintained by the Sri Lankan Navy & Some by private sector.
  • River clean up programme initiated and implemented as waste is brought to the sea by the rivers ( “ Surakimu Ganga Programme)

We have seen a positive improvement over the last two years

Comments:

  • Sea dumping regulated. Through this regulation we managed reduce the dumping waste from selected sources such hotels, and other type of industries.
  • Litter traps established at more than 54 small drainage and 5 middle size canals already established
  • Activities on going, Private sector sponsor Beach Caretakers.

Numerical data, if any:
Beach cleanup programmes affected due to the economic crisis in the country.
Others

Boats: Dumping waste from boats is being controlled.

22 companies have registered under the Central Environmental Authority to collect recyclable waste items from ships

Measures

Achievements
Cleanup of marine plastic litter
Collection of scattered waste on beach

Names of actions:

  • Carry out International coastal cleanup day programme in third week of September and carry out beach cleaning in more than 100 sites
  • Establish beach caretakers programme to clean selected beach areas in daily basis more than 120 km were cleaned
  • Carry out fishing harbour cleaning program time to time
  • Beach caretakers clean the beach twice daily

We have seen a positive improvement over the last two years

Comments:
Last 5 years period successfully conducted ICC programme with participation of more than 100000 people each year.
120 km of beach stretch cleaned daily basis
Beach caretakers are sponsored by private sector etc.
Removal of plastic litter from the ocean

Names of actions:
Underwater cleaning programme at selected sensitive ecosystem area such coral reef

We have seen a positive improvement over the last two year

Comments:
Large amount of underwater litter have been collected

Measures

Achievements

Promotion of innovative solutions

Policy actions for encouraging plastic alternatives (e.g. biodegradable plastics, circular product design – including use of recycled materials or closed-loop recycling)

Brief description:
Alternatives for plastics promoted.
Recycling of plastics promoted.
Biodegradable plastic & polythene not much promoted due to non adequacy of testing facilities.
Recycled products are promoted.

We have seen a positive improvement over the last two years

Comments:
Promoting low cost alternatives is challenging.

Public-private partnerships for creating and implementing innovative solution

Names of actions:

  • Beach caretaker programme- this programme as conducted as public private programme- required funds are provided by private companies
  • Establishment of litter traps- this programme also conducted as public private partnership project and private companies provided required fund
  • Beach cleaning programme- private companies provided fund and manpower and other support to carry out beach cleaning gprogramme
  • Yarn for clothes is produced by private sector using waste plastics.
  • Non usable residual plastic waste used as a fuel in cement kiln
  • Ornaments, bricks, etc are made from recycled plastics by the private sector,

We have seen a positive improvement over the last two years

Comments:
USAID
Objective is to introduce technologies to promote alternative products for SUP

Measures

Achievements

Education and awareness raising

Education system and/or curriculum for encouraging public awareness on MPL issues

If yes, give a brief description of your efforts related to education:

  • We have carry out sector based awareness programme to educate the relevant sectors related marine litter issues solution and their contribution
  • Waste management is included in the school curriculum
  • Environment Brigade, Environment Clubs, Environment Societies in schools conduct waste management programmes.
  • Many schools do not allow students to bring in single use plastic bags to school and establish plastic waste free zones
  • Many projects operate within the school to manage plastics, encourage recycling of plastics
  • Some schools do have card or bank deposit systems for providing cash for students for waste plastics through recyclers.

We have seen a positive improvement over the last two years

Comments:
Two small projects are being carried out with the financial assistance from NORAD. One of the projects focused on awareness of school children in several ways eg. Booklets, leaflets and video competetions

Awareness-raising campaigns related to MPL

National level:Clean Beach Programme

Names of actions:

  • Coastal and marine environment conservation week programme
  • This week allocated to educate and carry out beach cleaning programme and awareness programme for different sectos
  • Comprehensive Communication strategy is developed for plastic waste management including MPL
  • Visuals developed on plastic waste management for telecasting
  • Awareness is created through mass media
  • Awareness is created through government channels , private sector, NGOs

Local level:

Names of actions:
School Marine Group Porgramme

Brief description:
The School marine groups were established at selected school and guidebook has been introduced including programme should be conducted in each level. School children participate class room activities and filed activities related to marine environment and marine environment protection

International / Regional level:

Names of actions:
Development regional marine litter action plan

Brief description:
Action plan for the south Asian region seas countries has been formulated with assistance of SACEP- but not yet implemented.

National level:

We have seen a positive improvement over the last two years

Local level:

We have seen a positive improvement over the last two years

International / Regional level:

Numerical data, if any:
More than 371 school marine groups were established in coastal region school so far

Measures

Achievements

Monitoring & Scientific research on marine plastic litter

Actions for encouraging monitoring / scientific research on plastic flows and ocean surface microplastics

Names of actions:

  • Establish marine microplastic laboratory with support of CEFAS UK
  • Coastal litter monitoring programme initiated in selected locations covering all coastal district.
  • Marine Floating plastic monitoring programme was formulated and will be implemented shortly

Project on
Marine Litter and Microplastics: Promoting the Environmentally Sound Management of Plastic Wastes and Achieving the Prevention and Minimization of the Generation of Plastic Wastes is implemented.
Under this project plastic flows will be calculated.

We have seen a positive improvement over the last two years

Comments:
Researches are ongoing. Once they are completed we will be able to receive numerical data.

Engagement in international/regional level actions for encouraging monitoring / scientific research on plastic flows and ocean surface microplastics

Names of actions:
Planning initiated for programme with support of CEFAs to monitor plastic litter using OSPAR protocol

 

Challenges

  • Recycling system improvement
  • Proper waste management system (including lack of local capacity)
  • Data collection related to waste in general
  • Data collection related to marine plastic litter
  • Lack of awareness among citizens, business, local governments
  • Lack of financial incentives for waste treatment in general
  • Lack of financial incentives for technology development
  • Project delays due to COVID-19

Best practices

National level

National Action Plan Developed and implemented in collaboration with all relevant stakeholders.

Local level

Material Recovery Facilities (MRF) are established to collect plastic waste for recycling.

Private sector

Private sector has established plastic waste collection centres and recycling centres.

International cooperation

NORAD and BRSM China is supporting with two projects on plastic waste management

  1. Project on Marine Litter and Microplastics: Promoting the Environmentally Sound Management of Plastic Wastes and Achieving the Prevention and Minimization of the Generation of Plastic Wastes
  2. Capacity Building on Environmentally Sound Management of Single-use-Plastic and its Waste in Asia-pacific Countries

Futher Information

Published reports:

  • National Policy on Waste Management
  • National Action Plan on Plastic Waste Management (2021 -2030)
  • Micro Plastics

As per the UN Report

The Sri Lanka authorities describe the MV X-Press Pearl as the “worst catastrophe in its maritime history” 1 . It is evident that this is a complex and multi-dimensional incident encompassing a spectrum of environmental issues with potentially serious consequences over both the short and longer term. The key risks arise from:

  1. Bunker fuel oil spill (348 tonnes);
  2. Hazardous and noxious substances (of the vessels 1,486 containers, 81 were carrying dangerous goods including 25 tonnes of nitric acid, caustic sodic, methanol. In addition, there was 9,700 tonnes of potentially toxic epoxy resins on board2 );
  3. Recovery and decommissioning of the shipwreck wreck and lost containers;
  4. Microplastics (nurdles or plastic pellets < 5mm). In total, there were 87 containers carrying several types of plastic pellets aboard the ship. The overall quantity of plastic pellets is estimated at around 1,680 tonnes;
  5. Macro plastics (5-50 mm);
  6. Fire residues (micro to macro);
  7. Assorted bulk debris (cargo, pieces of damaged containers);

Contact Details

1. Dr Anil Jasinghe ( Secretary) / Ministry f Environment
Tel: +94 112 034 121 Fax: +94 112 879 944

2. S M Werahera (Director) Environment Pollution Control & Chemicals Management –
Tel: +94 112 034 163 Fax: +94 112 879 959

3. A J M Gunasekara, General Manager, Marine Environment Protection
Authority of Sri Lanka
[email protected]
Tel/Fax: +94 11 2554263

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