Government puts a wrap on polythene use effective today

The Government today brought into force tough new regulations banning the manufacture as well as sale and exhibition or use of food wrappers manufactured from polythene as a raw material within the country.

Six separate gazette notifications were issued by President Maithripala Sirisena in his capacity as the Minister of Mahaweli Development and Environment effective September 1, 2017.

Three separate gazette notifications were issued prohibiting the use of Polythene, one prohibiting the burning of refuse and other combustible matters inclusive of Plastics, one prohibiting use of Polyethylene products as decorations and one gazette prohibiting the Manufacture of Food Containers, Plates, Cups, and Spoons from expanded Polystyrene.

Under the new regulations , the  manufacture of polythene or any polythene product of twenty (20) microns or below in thickness for in country use  as well as 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  is prohibited.

However 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 Central Environment Authority for specified purposes such as laminating and use for medical or pharmaceutical purposes in the absence of any other suitable alternative.

(CK)