The Ministry of Environment is considering prohibiting certain single-use plastic products this year as part of its roadmap for plastic pollution control from 2022- 2023.
Ministry Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe told the media that regulations are being formulated to ban certain plastic products, including plastic string hopper trays, forks and spoons, and garlands.
The importation of pellets will also be prohibited due to existing stocks and also to help mitigate the foreign exchange crisis, he said.
Dr. Jasinghe further stated that the new regulations will come into effect in the coming months.
Alongside the regulations, the Environment Ministry is also looking at other measures such as recycling and reducing the use of plastic products.
The Ministry is also focussing on replacing certain plastic products with locally found reusable materials which will help improve the livelihoods of those in the local industries, Dr. Jasinghe said. (NewsWire)
