Under new regulations, The Sri Lanka Ministry of Environment banned the use of polythene products thinner than 20 microns with effect from January 1, 2007.
Production, sale and use of polythene lesser than 20 microns will be totally banned under the regulations in order to minimise the environmental damage caused by polythene and plastic products.
POLYTHENE BAN FROM TODAY
Offenders can be fined Rs. 10,000 or 2 year imprisonment or both punishments can be imposed.
Addressing the trade exhibition organized by the National Craft Council (NCC) to introduce eco-friendly packaging manufactured by the local craftsmen, Rural Industries and Self Employment Promotion Minister S.B. Nawinna said that polythene is destructive and harms the environment vehemently. Packaging manufactured by utilizing natural resources is the best adjustment for polythene and it is the world's trend today, he further said.
"Local eco-friendly items have demand in the international market as well. Sri Lanka with its village based raw materials such as rush and reed, bamboo, jute, talipot, coconut, Palmyrah leaf, cane, rattan, hemp and banana can manufacture a range of packaging," Minister said.
The ministry will implement a project to eradicate polythene used in the country and three projects to manufacture packaging utilizing papers, talipot and coconut leaves have been set up.
Production, sale and use of polythene lesser than 20 microns will be totally banned under the regulations in order to minimise the environmental damage caused by polythene and plastic products.
POLYTHENE BAN FROM TODAY
Offenders can be fined Rs. 10,000 or 2 year imprisonment or both punishments can be imposed.
Addressing the trade exhibition organized by the National Craft Council (NCC) to introduce eco-friendly packaging manufactured by the local craftsmen, Rural Industries and Self Employment Promotion Minister S.B. Nawinna said that polythene is destructive and harms the environment vehemently. Packaging manufactured by utilizing natural resources is the best adjustment for polythene and it is the world's trend today, he further said.
"Local eco-friendly items have demand in the international market as well. Sri Lanka with its village based raw materials such as rush and reed, bamboo, jute, talipot, coconut, Palmyrah leaf, cane, rattan, hemp and banana can manufacture a range of packaging," Minister said.
The ministry will implement a project to eradicate polythene used in the country and three projects to manufacture packaging utilizing papers, talipot and coconut leaves have been set up.
