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Campaigns to clean up plastic rubbish
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Polluted beach in Dehiwela . Pic by M.A. Pushpa Kumara and (below) beach clean up in Moratuwa
By Ryan Casiechetty
Plastic pollution inland on the shores is being targeted in a few clean-up campaigns that coincide with the World Environmental Day.
Plastic bottles and other waste in waterways often end up on beaches. Some of the plastic waste is washing up on Sri Lanka’s shores from India.
One initiative is by the Centre for Environmental Studies and Sustainable Development (CESSD) of the Open University of Sri Lanka under the title ‘Less Plastic Movement’. The campaign, from May 10 to June 5, raises public awareness about macro and micro plastic pollution.
At first, the campaign made Sri Lankans aware of macro and micro plastics, the impact on the environment, the feasible alternatives, and knowledge of an effective waste management system.
In stage two, a clean-up day will be held on June 5 (World Environmental Day) at 50 locations across the island. All the plastic waste will be collected. These 50 locations consist of coastal areas and inland sites. (See Graphic for the locations)
Dr. Yohan Mahagamage, the project coordinator of ‘Less Pollution Movement,’ said micro plastics can absorb unwanted chemical compounds, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, pesticides, heavy metals, and antibiotics.
For the programme on June 5, invitations were sent to the other state universities and non-governmental organisations.
Sri Lankans can register at the website (https://cessd.ou.ac.lk/), or by contacting: 071 6368816 or 071 1603745.
This project is with the collaboration of the Ministry of Environment and the Central Environmental Authority.
In the Eastern province, a coastal clean-up has already begun following the appointment of governor Senthil Thondaman.
N. Manivannan, the commissioner of the Department of Local Government of the Eastern Provincial Council, told the Sunday Times, the clean-up will continue.
About 350 joined the previous week and a stretch of 5 kilometres of the coast was covered. The staff of the Ministry of Health, the Fisheries Authority, and the Divisional Secretariat offices joined the public. Students of Wayamba University also participated.
The goal is to ensure that the Eastern Coast is the cleanest shore on the island.
The Central Environmental Authority and the Environmental Ministry also has launched several projects to clean up the environment next week with a focus on reducing plastic waste.
The X-Press Pearl Ship disaster, which has polluted the coastal environment of Sri Lanka still compels many fishermen to remain ashore. Fishermen from the area said micro plastics are still visible on the western and northwestern coastal areas.
Fishermen in the northwestern coast said plastic and waste were drifting into the country from India.
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