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Ban on use of polythene to be strictly implemented from January: CEA
The ban on polythene imposed by the Central Environment authority (CEA) in the September 2017 gazette notification will come into effect with full force beginning January. The CEA teams will come down hard on industries for non-compliance. Companies that violated the law and continue the manufacture of the banned low density polyethylene bags and lunch sheets below the specified 20 microns will be severely dealt with and prosecuted in court.
Despondent trader: No sales of plastic ware and polythene items. Pix by Sameera Weerasekera
Penalty includes fines of up to Rs.10,000/- or two years of imprisonment or both, as the case requires. Errant industries will be charged under the 23W of National Environmental Act No. 47 of the 1980 Gazette Notification 1466/5 subject to shut down. Director General, Solid Waste Management, J.M.U. Indraratne, said that 600 CEA trained officers will be sent out along with Environment Police Officers to visit large and medium scale industries involved in the manufacture of polythene-based items. The assistance of District Secretariats and the Pradeshiya Sabahas will be sought.
Although the implementation of the ban came into effect on 01 December 2017 the CEA has been soft on errant industries issuing only warning letters. However beginning next year the raids ‘will take place in full force’, Indratne said. He expressed satisfaction with the initial visits made in December 2017, saying several industries had shown compliance.
Inspections were undertaken in the Colombo, Gampaha and Kalutera districts -areas where large-scale manufacture of polythene-based products are manufactured. He said several large scale manufacturers had begun complying with the law. He added around ten warning letters were issued to non compliant manufacturers.
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Manufacturers had modified their machines with assistance obtained from the Ministry of Commerce and Trade which had reimbursed 50 per cent of the cost. Additionally a soft loan for importation of raw materials has been offered together with technical guidance for the transition.
Beginning next year, inspections will be carried out on a countrywide scale. ‘We will re-visit industries that have been issued with warning letters,’ he said.
Meanwhile the CEA emphasised that there is a total ban on using polythene flags and banners at the up- coming local government elections.
The CEA strictly laid down terms with the Elections Commissioner and party leaders regarding the prohibition on using polythene in campaigns conducted by political parties, he said.
‘We have given clear instructions and those who violate the law will be prosecuted irrespective of their status in society,’ he said.
The Gazette notification No.1466/5 issued under section 23W of the National Environmental act No, 47 of 1980 prohibits polythene use for decorations at all events and burning of the polythene/plastic in open spaces is strictly prohibited.