News
Single-use plastic ban comes into effect today
View(s):By Dilushi Wijesinghe
The ban on the manufacture and sale of certain single-use plastic products within the country comes into force today.
“From October 1, nobody can do it legally, so we can raid them, and if somebody is selling, we can take legal action,” said Central Environment Authority Director General Hemantha Jayasinghe.
The items include plastic straws, stirrers, plates, cups, cutlery, string hopper moulds and flower garlands.
A timeframe from July 19 to October 1 was provided for the industry to come up with alternatives.
“They should bring their own alternatives. As the environment authority, we can’t suggest any, but we are helping them and encouraging producers to engage in alternatives such as paper and wood-based production,” said
Mr. Jayasinghe.
He added that it was a criminal offence to produce and distribute the banned items in violation of the Environment Act, and offenders could be punished with a two-year jail term.
“As the environmental authority, we need to do this because we have to protect our environment. However, as we are implementing this, industrialists and the general public should adhere to this,” he said, requesting the corporation of retailers and sellers.
Most large-scale retailers have taken steps to clear remaining stocks, he said.
Pix by M.A. Pushpa Kumara
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