Report on analyze public opinion on controlling polythene and plastic (Nugawela East , Kahawatta city, Sri Lanka)

EN 3906 – Environmental Communication
Assignment Report
On
Analyze the public opinion on controlling of polythene and plastic
in the point of view of environmental communication.
Submitted To:
Prof. K. Waleboda
Senior Lecturer
Former Coordinator of Journalism Unit
University of Colombo
Submitted By:
W. M. K. Kalhara
2014/S/14807
12329s
Sri Lanka
12.01.2018

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Declaration
I hereby declare that this Group project was conducted by me under the supervision of Prof.
K. Waleboda as a partial fulfillment of the requirements of the Bachelor of Science degree in
Business and Environment Theme and the content of this report is true and correct to the best
of my knowledge and belief.
Signed………………………………… Date………………………………
W.M.K.Kalhara
2014/s/14807
12329s
This research project has been submitted for the final assessment of EN 3906 -
Environmental Communication, with my approval as a university supervisor.
Signed………………………………… Date………………………………
Prof. K.Waleboda (Supervisor of the assignment)
Senior Lecturer,
Journalism unit,
Sri Lanka

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Acknowledgement
I would like to express thank to Environmental Communication course coordinator Prof.
Kamal Waleboda who continually conveyed a spirit of adventure in regard to research and
other necessary activities without his guidance and persistent help this dissertation would not
have been possible.
I would also like to thank coordinator of Business and Environment four year general degree
program, Dr. Nirmali Pallewatta for given direction and example on academic report writing.
In addition, I would like to thank certain establishments of Central Environmental Authority
of Sri Lanka for their involvement on my research and also for providing me necessary data,
statistics and information. I was able to get a vast knowledge on the event of doing my
research analysis. As well I would like to be grateful to support given by the general people
or consumers, because without their corporation I would be unable to do this research
analysis successfully. Special thanks go to the Gramasewa officer in Nugawela East and
officers in the Local Authority of Kahawatta for support given to me by providing research
data and guidance.
Before I finish, I should mention my family members and friends for their understanding and
encouragement on me in carrying out this.

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Abstract
Uncontrolled of polythene and plastic is still creating adverse environmental and human
health impacts. The Ministry of Mahawali development and Environment of Sri Lanka and
the Central Environmental Authority took the initiative with wide stakeholder participation to
introduce regulatory measures to minimize negative impacts on the environment and human
health due to polythene and plastic waste. Through Gazette numbered No. 2034/33 and dated
01 September 2017, manufacture, sale, offer for sale, offer free of charge, exhibition or use of
polythene or any polythene product of twenty (20) microns or below in thickness is
prohibited with effect from 1 September 2017. This has been done by virtue of the powers
vested to the high Excellency President, Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka as well
as the Minister of Environment as per the National Environment Act no 47 of 1980. In
addition to the above regulation the Government of Sri Lanka has taken a number of policy
decisions to address the issue of environment friendly management of polythene and plastic
to reduce the environmental impacts.
Under EN 3906 – ―Environmental communication‖ course, it has conducted a research to
analyze the public opinion on controlling polythene and plastic in the point of view of
environmental communication. The methodology was carried out through primary and
secondary research information. Primary information was gathered through questionnaire
survey, interviews and discussions which were aimed to plastic and polythene consumers
(general people) in different ages, genders and educational levels. The study was conducted
in Nugewela East area of Kahawatta city in Rathnapura district.
Results of questionnaire survey show that 91.2% respondents still use polythene and only
8.8% are not using them. When analyzing the questionnaire results it has clearly visible that
most of respondents who use polythene and plastic products for carrying away things and
goods in day-to -day life and packing purposes. The survey results indicated that regardless
of gender, educational level and age, majority of the city residents widely used shopping bags
in their daily life activities than other plastic products. According to the results, some of the
main reasons attributed to the widespread usage are easy availability and lack of alternative
materials. Most of respondents are burnt and handed over their plastic waste to local
authority. When considering the public opinion on their practices of disposal of polythene
and plastic, results shows that majority of respondents were known about the disposal of
plastic waste to the environment is harmful. Results show that, Deterioration of
environmental beauty or littering was mentioned as the serious problem than others by the
majority of the respondents. According to the results of the public awareness about the recent
banning of polythene and plastic, majority of respondents had known about the above
banning. When considering the Media exposure of the community about recent controlling
the plastic and polythene majority of the respondents appreciated the important role of

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Television and radio than others in dissemination of information about recent controlling of
the some plastic and polythene product in Sri Lanka. According to the Grama Niladhari
officer in study area, there is no clear program to control the usage of polythene and plastic in
study area.
According to the results of the entire survey specially based on the statistical analysis the new
regulations will appears to be effective. However, there is a considerable change of polythene
usage after the establishment of regulation. Therefore, the central government in
collaboration with other concerned authorities of the city like Local authority should
encourage people to use environment-friendly alternative materials, such as cloth bags, paper
bags and natural fiber bags etc. and to improve towards the 3R(Reduce, Reuse and Recycle)
concept.

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Table of Contents
Chapter Title Page
Declaration..…………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ….ii
Acknowledgement………………………………………………………………………………………………………iii
Abstract….………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….iv
Table of content..…………………………………………………………………………………………………..........vi
List of Figures.…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..vii
List of Tables..……………………………………………………………………………………………………….....viii
Abbreviations..……………………………………………………………………………………………………………ix
01 Introduction………………………………………………………………………………………………….................1
1.1: Background…………………………………………………………………………………………………….........1
1.2: Objectives…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….3
02 Literature Review………………………………………………………………………………………………………4
2.1: Polythene and plastic …………………………………………………………………………………………...4
2.1.1: An introduction to polythene and plastic …………………………………………………...4
2.1.2: Classification of polythene and plastic …………………………………………..................4
2.1.3: Impacts of polythene and plastic usage………………………………….............................7
2.1.3.1: Impacts on Environment………………………………………………………….7
2.1.3.2: Impacts on humans and wildlife………………………………………………8
2.1.3.3: Impacts of single use plastics…………………………………………………10
2.1.4: Methods of polythene and plastic waste management………...................................10
2.1.5: The polythene and plastic industry in Sri Lanka……………….……………………….14
2.1.6: Polythene and plastic Waste in Sri Lanka………………………………………………...14
2.1.7: Available solutions for polythene and plastic waste management in Sri
Lanka…………………………………………………………………………………………………………...15
2.2: Environmental communication …………………………………………………………………................17
2.2.1: An introduction to Environmental communication…………………………………….17
2.2.2: Public participation………….……………………………………………………………………18
2.2.3: Public participation in environmental governance………………………….................19
2.2.4: Public participation in environmental governance in Sri Lanka…….....................20
2.3: Previous experience of public participation in regulations on controlling of polythene and
plastic usage in Sri Lanka……………………………………………………………………………………………………21
2.4: Recent regulations on controlling of polythene and plastic usage in Sri Lanka…………….22
2.4.1: Why need to control, the use of polythene and plastic………………………………..22
2.4.2: Main Objectives of the Regulations…………………………………………………………23
2.4.3: Environmental and health implications polythene and plastic of use recognized
by CEA.......................................................................................................................24
2.4.4: Legal provision……………………………………………………………………………………..24

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2.4.5: Stakeholders…………………………………………………………………………………………26
03 Methodology…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….27
3.1: Description of the study areas……………………………………………………………………………….27
3.2: Sampling techniques, data collection and analysis…………………………………………………...28
04 Results and Discussion………………………………………………….………………………………………….30
4.1: Identifying the usage of polythene and plastic…………………………………………………………30
4.2: Identifying nature of the usage of polythene and plastic…………………………………………...30
4.3: Identifying current practices of the disposal of polythene and plastic wastes…….……..….32
4.4: Identifying the Problems associated with the usage of plastic and polythene……………….34
4.5: Identifying the public participation through the awareness of current regulations on the
usage of the polythene and plastic……………………………………………………………………………….36
4.6: Public feedback of the Regional Programs of controlling Polythene and plastic…………..38
05 Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….....41
06 Recommendation……………………………………..………………………………………………………………42
References……………………………………..………………………………………………………………………...44
Appendix………...……………………………………………………………………………………………………….46

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List of Figures
Figure Title Page
2.1 Structure of thermosetting plastics 6
2.2 Structure of thermoplastics 6
2.3 Waste composition analysis. 15
3.1 Map of the Kahawatta city 29
3.2 Satellite view of the Study area (Kahawatta city) 29
4.1 Nature of the plastic and polythene usage in Nugawela East. 30
4.2
Types of polythene and plastic products, highly (commonly) used.
(Nugawela East area in Kahawatta city)
31
4.3
Factors attributed for widespread utilization of polythene and plastic
products. . (Nugawela East area in Kahawatta city)
31
4.4
Practices of disposal of polythene and plastic. (Nugawela East area
in Kahawatta city)
32
4.5
Reasons for practices of disposal of polythene and plastic.
33
4.6
Public opinion on practices of disposal of polythene and plastic.
34
4.7
Public opinion on problems associated with the usage of plastic and
polythene. (Nugawela East area in Kahawatta city)
35
4.8
Problems associated with the usage of plastic and polythene.
36
4.9
The public awareness on the recent banning/ controlling of use, sale
and production of polythene and plastic (Nugawela East area in
Kahawatta city)
37
4.10
The Media exposure or contribution to communicate the message of
controlling polythene and plastics. (Nugawela East area in
Kahawatta city)
38
4.11
The public awareness of the regional programs which already in
operation to control the usage of the polythene and plastic
39
4.12
The public feedback of the regional programs, organized to control
plastic and polythene. (Nugawela East area in Kahawatta city)
40

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List of Tables
Table Title Page
2.1 The heating values of various fuels and wastes 12
3.1
Demographic profiles of respondents of survey in Nugawela
east area of Kahawatta city
28

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Abbreviations
Short form Term
ABS Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene
BDP Bio degradable plastic
BPA Bisphenol-A
CEA Central Environmental Authority
FRP Fibre-reinforced plastic
GST General systems theory
HDPE high density poly ethylene
LDPE Low density poly ethylene
MSFD Marine Strtegy Framework Directive
MT Metric tonn
MSW Municipal Solid Waste
NGOs Non-Governmental Organizations
PMMA Poly(methyl methacrylate)
PBT Polybutylene terepthalate
PET Polyethylene
PET Polyethylene-terephthalate
PP Polypropelene
PS Polystyrene
PU Polyurethane
PVC Polyvinylchloride
POM Polyxymethelene
RDF Refuse derived fuel
RPF Refuse-derived paper and plastic densified fuel
SPI Society of the Plastic Industry
SWM Solid waste management
SL Sri Lanka
SEA Sustainable Energy Authority
UNEP United National Environment Program
WWII World war II

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Chapter 01
Introduction
1.1: Background
Polythene and plastics has become a vital asset for humanity, often providing functionality
that cannot be easily or economically replaced by other materials. This means polythene and
plastics, both have replaced eco-friendly natural materials, as a cheaper and more cost-saving
option, and also a quicker way to package food and carry shopping goods. The relevance of
this assertion is emphasized that both are lighter and more durable, hygienic, and
economically viable. It is estimated that plastics save 600 to 1,300 million tons of carbon-
dioxide emissions through the replacement of less efficient materials, fuel savings in
transport, contribution to insulation, prevention of food losses and use in wind power rotors
and solar panels. (Bio-plastics, 2008).
But actually they are environmentally unfriendly in the extreme, take hundreds of years to
degrade, and fill up landfills. Plastic litter can also lead to clog drains resulting in sanitation
and sewage problems, and to soil degradation, which hampers trees growth. In addition,
animals have been known to often ingest plastic bags while its indiscriminate disposal by
incineration, pollutes the air and releases toxic substances. Plastic bags are also responsible
for using up oil, a scarce natural resource. Not only, polythene products like bags are
frequently used to carry food items in some developing countries. This practice can cause
serious health problems since some carcinogenic agents could be generated during the
chemical reactions that take place in plastic materials and the food items due to temperature
variations. In recent reports, it has been mentioned that reuse of plastic bags can cause cross
contamination of foods by microorganisms. Moreover, plastic bags are also used for
disposing of human and other domestic wastes which makes human health more risky as
compared to ―open‖ disposal of these wastes
The environmental problems of solid waste associated with polythene and plastic
consumption illustrates the classic tragedy of the commons. While individual consumers
derive the benefit of convenience from the use of them, the whole society has to bear the

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collective cost of their disposal. However, there is inadequate recognition of the potential
costs of polythene and plastic litter in many parts of the world, with the problem especially
grave in developing countries. For instance the Mumbai floods in India in which about a
thousand people died were partly the result of plastic bags clogging the drains.11
These concerns have caused governments across the world, to introduce legislation to limit
the use of plastic and polythene products. They have used a variety of regulatory instruments
for this purpose. One of best example is nowadays CEA of Sri Lanka has banned (or
controlled) the use of polythene lunch sheets, rig foam boxes and shopping bags and the
burning of polythene and plastics in open places with effect from 1st of September 2017. In
addition to that the CEA has recommended that, the Government of SL to impose 15 percent
CESS during importation of plastic raw material and related products and provide 5 percent
out of that to the CEA to manage polythene and plastic waste. It has further proposed to
totally ban the importation of recycled plastic raw material. It has recommended giving tax
concessions for the machinery for recycling of plastic waste and for biodegradable raw
materials and manufacturing machinery.
Despite these efforts to control the usage of polythene and plastic and the consequent
degradation of the environment, provinces and districts have not been able to effectively
implement the ban/control on polythene and plastic. In most parts of SL the bans have been
ineffective due to various reasons such as lack of awareness due to the poor public
participation (environmental communication), ranging from slack enforcement by the
administration to lack of cost-effective alternatives.
Environmental communication is a pragmatic and constructing vehicle for human‘s
understandings of environment that relate to the natural world. It is a symbolic medium that
use in solving environmental problems and negotiate society‘s different responses to them.
Not only it is part of public education and can attract the attention of public. Through this
reports it hopes to analyze the public participation in environmental decision making by the
government.
Therefore, it is wanted to assess and compare the effectiveness (or public participation) of the
ban on polythene and plastic in different parts of the country. But it is better, study on the
public opinion about banning/controlling the polythene and plastic before assess and compare

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the effectiveness of the ban on polythene and plastic in different parts of the country. Then
CEA and stakeholders can investigate the practical problems of above decisions on humanity.
Therefore through this study, it will hope to briefly analyze the public opinion on controlling
polythene and plastic in selected area in the point of view of environmental communication.
(Public participation in environmental governance) It should be assumed that public opinion
within the above selected area represent the public opinion of the whole SL.
1.2: Objectives
 To analyze the level of awareness among people about the recent regulations on banning
or controlling some polythene and plastic products and the issues associated with them,
through the public participation.
 To identify the current nature of the usage of polythene and plastic.
 To identify the disposal methods of polythene and plastic and the problems associated
with them.
 To get a feedback about the current regional programs related to control polythene and
plastic.

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Chapter 02
Literature Review
2.1: Polythene and plastic
2.1.1: An introduction to polythene and plastic
Plastics are the most versatile materials ever invented. Indeed, the word "plastic," which
derives from the Greek word ―plastikos", meaning to mold or form, has come to be used as a
general description for anything particularly adaptable or flexible. Since the first plastic,
celluloid, was developed as a replacement for elephant ivory in the 1860s, many different
types of plastics, including Nylon, Polyethylene, and Teflon have revolutionized the
manufacture of commercial goods as diverse as nylon stockings and car-body parts.5
Although the use of plastic continues to grow and revolutionary new plastics are constantly
being developed, concerns have been raised about the environmental effects of using and
disposing of so much plastic material, prompting the invention of bio plastics.
Polythene is a type of polymer that is thermoplastic, meaning that it can be melted to a liquid
and remolded as it returns to a solid state. It is chemically synthesized from ethylene, a
compound that's usually made from petroleum or natural gas. Other non-official names for
this compound include polythene or polyethylyne; and it is also abbreviated as PE. It is used
in making other plastic compounds much often than it's used in its pure form. Though it has a
wide variety of uses, it can be harmful to humans and to the environment.3
2.1.2: Classification of polythene and plastic
Basically, plastics can be divided into main three categories:
1. Natural plastics - these are naturally occurring materials that can be said to be plastics
because they can be shaped and moulded by heat. An example of this is amber, which is a
form of fossilised pine tree resin and is often used in jewellery manufacture.
2. Semi synthetic plastics - these are made from naturally occurring materials that have
been modified or changed but mixing other materials with them. An example of this is

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cellulose acetate, which is a reaction of cellulose fibre and acetic acid and is used to make
cinema film.
3. Synthetic plastics - these are materials that are derived from breaking down, or
‘cracking‘ carbon based materials, usually crude oil, coal or gas, so that their molecular
structure changes. This is generally done in petrochemical refineries under heat and
pressure, and is the first of the manufacturing processes that is required to produce most
of our present day, commonly occurring plastics.
Synthetic and semi synthetic plastics can be further divided into two other categories. based
on their physical characteristics, as thermosetting and thermoplastics.
1. Thermosetting plastic - The structure of plastics is same as the web because there
are many cross-linked chains of polymers, and this plastic is produced into many
structure products. It is not melted again compared to egg which is a hard form after
boiling, and it cannot be recycled. Thermosetting plastic consists of epoxy, melamine,
urea, phenolic, and unsaturated polyester.
2. Thermoplastic - This plastic has linear or branched chain structures which
determine their strength and thermal behavior. It is be melted by heat and setting
when temperature decrease compared to candle or ice which can back to product
again after using. At approximately 120 - 180°C, thermoplastics become a
pasty/liquid mass. It can be recycled and is easy to produce in large amounts, so it is
popular to use. Thermoplastic is generated in liquid or pellet forms because it is easy
to produce many formats of products. This plastic includes of polyethylene (PE), low
density poly ethylene (LDPE), high density poly ethylene (HDPE), polypropylene
(PP), polystyrene (PS), polyvinylchloride (PVC), and polyethylene-terephthalate
(PET).
The Society of the Plastic Industry established a classification system in 1988 to let recyclers
and consumers identify different types of plastic4
. Plastic types are separated based on the
codes (SPI Codes) allocated by international agreement and also by chemical composition.6

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1. PET - Plastic labeled with an SPI code 1 is created using polyethylene terephthalate,
which is known as PET/PETE. Containers made using PET absorb flavors and odors from
drinks and foods that are stored in them. Products made using PET are easy to recycle. It
is used to make common household items such as combs, jars, bean bags, and bottles.
Recycled PET is used to make the filling material in winter clothing, carpets etc.
2. HDPE - Plastic marked with an SPI code 2 is made using HDPE. Products made using
HDPE are absolutely safe and are not known to leak any chemicals into drinks and foods.
HDPE products are easy to recycle. Usually shampoos & conditioners containers, milk
containers, detergents boxes are made of HDPE. Recycled HDPE is used in making
fencing, plastic crates etc.
3. PVC - Plastic marked with an SPI code 3 is made of PVC. Generally, PVC is not
recycled and can be harmful if food is stored in containers made using the material. PVC
is generally used in making plumbing pipes. Recycled PVC is used in making industrial-
grade items and home flooring.
4. LDPE - Plastic labeled with an SPI code 4 is manufactured using LDPE. LDPE is not
often recycled, but it can be recycled for certain things. LDPE is flexible and long-lasting.
Since it doesn‘t leach harmful chemical, it is safe to be used to store edible items.
Squeezable bottles, plastic cling wrap, plastic grocery bags are made using LDPE.
Recycled version of LDPE is used in making furniture, garbage cans etc.
Figure 2.1 - Structure of thermosetting plastics Figure 2.2 - Structure of thermoplastics

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5. PP - Plastic that is labeled with an SPI code of 5 is made using PP or polypropylene. PP
can be recycled but it is not widely accepted for recycling. It is usually used to make
syrup bottles, plastic diapers, stadium cups etc. Durable items like battery cables, ice
scrapers are made using recycled PP.
6. PS - Polystyrene is marked with an SPI code of 6; It is also known as Styrofoam.
Recycling PS consumes a lot of energy, which makes it less popular recyclable plastic. PS
is used in making packing foam, disposable coffee cups, plastic cutlery etc. Things like
plastic rulers and license plate frames are made with recycled PS.
7. Other - The SPI code 7 is allocated to miscellaneous types of plastic. The plastics that are
included in the category are polycarbonate and polylactide. CDs and DVDs are made of
these types of plastics which are difficult to recycle.
2.1.3: Impacts of polythene and plastic usage
2.1.3.1: Impacts on Environment
Plastic is one of the major toxic pollutants of present time. Being composed of toxic
chemicals and most importantly a non-biodegradable substance, plastic pollutes earth and
leads to air pollution and water pollution. This also mixes with food chain effecting
Environment Humans and animals. There is no safe way to dispose plastic waste and waste
causes serious damage to environment during its production process, during its usage and
during its disposal process.
Toxic chemicals release during manufacturing process is another significant source of the
negative environmental impact of plastics. A whole host of carcinogenic, neurotoxic, and
hormone-disruptive chemicals are standard ingredients and waste products of plastic
production, and they inevitably find their way into our ecology through water, land, and air
pollution. Some of the major compounds include vinyl chloride (in PVC), dioxins (in PVC),
benzene (in polystyrene), phthalates and other plasticizers (in PVC and others),
formaldehyde, and bisphenol-A, or BPA (in polycarbonate).12
Many of these are persistent
organic pollutants (POPs) some of the most damaging toxins on the planet, owing to a
combination of their persistence in the environment and their high levels of toxicity;

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however, their unmitigated release into the environment affects all terrestrial and aquatic life
with which they come into contact.
It is in the use phase that the benefits of plastics in durability and effectiveness are most
evident. Though most plastics are benign in their intended use form, many release toxic gases
in their in-place curing (such as spray foam) or by virtue of their formulation (as with PVC
additives off-gassing during their use phase). Occupational exposure during installation, such
as inhalation of dust while cutting plastic pipe or off-gassing vapors of curing products, is
also a great concern for human health and the environment.
The disposal of plastics-the ―grave‖ phase, is one of the least-recognized and most highly
problematic areas of plastic‘s ecological impact. Ironically, one of plastic‘s most desirable
traits—its durability and resistance to decomposition—is also the source of one of its greatest
liabilities when it comes to the disposal of plastics. Natural organisms have a very difficult
time breaking down the synthetic chemical bonds in plastic, creating the tremendous problem
of the material‘s persistence. A very small amount of total plastic production (less than 10%)
is effectively recycled; the remaining plastic is sent to landfills, where it is destined to remain
entombed in limbo for hundreds of thousands of years, or to incinerators, where its toxic
compounds are spewed throughout the atmosphere to be accumulated in biotic forms
throughout the surrounding ecosystems.12
2.1.3.2: Impacts on humans and wildlife
The harmful effects of plastic on aquatic life are devastating, and accelerating. The impacts of
plastic waste on human health and the environment are only just becoming apparent. Most of
human knowledge is around plastic waste in the marine environment, although there is
research that indicates that plastic waste in landfill and in badly managed recycling systems
could be having an impact, mainly from the chemicals contained in plastic.
Ingestion of plastic occurs more frequently than entanglement. The MSFD has identified
ingestion of waste as an indicator for monitoring environmental status. Ingestion of plastic
waste has been documented in a number of species. For some species, almost all individuals
contain ingested plastic, including sea birds, fish, turtles, mussels and mammals. Clearly
different species ingest different types and sizes of plastic debris. Many animals mistake

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plastic waste for prey, for example, fish can confuse plastic pellets for plankton, birds may
mistake pieces of plastic for cuttlefish or other prey.12
There are several chemicals within plastic material itself that have been added to give it
certain properties such as Bisphenol A, phthalates and flame retardants. These all have
known negative effects on human and animal health, mainly affecting the endocrine system.
There are also toxic monomers, which have been linked to cancer and reproductive problems.
The actual role of plastic waste in causing these health impacts is uncertain. This is partly
because it is not clear what level of exposure is caused by plastic waste, and partly because
the mechanisms by which the chemicals from plastic may have an impact on humans and
animals are not fully established. The most likely pathway is through ingestion, after which
chemicals could bio accumulate up the food chain, meaning that those at the top could be
exposed to greater levels of chemicals.
Plastic waste also has the ability to attract contaminants, such as persistent organic pollutants
(POPs). Plastic could potentially transport these chemicals to otherwise clean environments
and, when ingested by wildlife, plastic could cause the transfer of chemicals into the
organism‘s system. However, in some conditions plastic could potentially act as a sink for
contaminants, making them less available to wildlife, particularly if they are buried on the
seafloor. With their large surface area-to-volume ratio, micro plastics may have the capacity
to make chemicals more available to wildlife and the environment in comparison to larger
sized plastics. However, once ingested, micro plastics may pass through the digestive system
more quickly than larger plastics, potentially providing less opportunity for chemicals to be
absorbed into the circulatory system.
Unfortunately, the properties of plastic that make it so valuable also make its disposal
problematic, such as its durability, light weight and low cost. In many cases plastics are
thrown away after one use, especially packaging and sheeting, but because they are durable,
they persist in the environment. If plastic reaches the sea, its low density means it tends to
remain on the surface. Most types of plastic are not biodegradable. Some plastics are
designed to be biodegradable and can be broken down in a controlled environment, such as
landfill, but it is uncertain if this will occur under other conditions, especially in oceans
where the temperature is colder. Even if plastic does eventually biodegrade, it will
temporarily break into smaller fragments, which then produce so-called ―microplastics‖.
These have a specific and significant set of impacts.

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The harmful effects of chemicals additives in plastics are also pronounced in newborns via
mothers exposed to these toxins during their pregnancy. The second vulnerable groups are
young children exposed directly to these chemicals. Since many of these chemicals (BPA and
phthalates) can cross the placenta, resulting in growth retardation and neurological harm.
There are also evidences to suggest hormonal derangements and cancers in children.
2.1.3.3: Impacts of single use plastics
The single use plastics (drinking water bottles/ packing food stuff) are another issue
surrounding the toxicity. Phthalates and BPA are the two most notorious toxin which leach
from plastics into food or water and when these plastic wastes are discarded improperly, they
often end up in water bodies where they continue to leach these harmful chemical for an very
long time.
Phthalates have been found to deposit in the fatty tissues of the body, and also causative
factors of human diseases like male reproductive dysfunction, breast growth and testicular
cancers. BPA is often found in the food grade plastic known as polycarbonates, used in
hospital disposables, has been found to have an estrogenic side effect.12
It is found to have
detrimental effects on human placental tissues leading to premature birth, intrauterine growth
retardation, preeclampsia and still birth. Studies have shown that BPA may also lead to
insulin resistance and diabetes also.
2.1.4: Methods of polythene and plastic waste management
After consumption, plastic products become wastes, and plastic wastes are generated from
different sources such as household, community, industries, and agriculture etc. The first
waste collection and storage is done at the street bins or industrial waste store, and there may
be waste separation by consumers and waste pickers. After that, plastic wastes are collected
and transported by the waste collection truck. Then, plastic wastes are properly disposed by
landfilling, incineration or they are recycled into materials, chemicals, and energy.
 Landfilling - Land filling is carried out in developing counties, where the waste is buried
in a separate burial ground. A sanitary landfill is a facility operated under strict rules.
Odors, fires, vermin and visual intrusion must be minimized. Waste must be compacted
and covered daily with a layer of dirt and a thicker layer when the section is completed.

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Due to strict regulations, plastic and polythene land filling is rarely practiced in countries
like SL.
 Plastic recycling
Plastic recycling is the process of recovering scrap or waste plastic and reprocessing the
material into useful products, sometimes completely different in form from their original
state. Recycling of plastics will definitely reduce the waste material at waste disposal while
reducing the piling up of plastic virgin material on the earth. It reduces the energy and water
consumption and emission of toxic gases and chemicals in the production process of virgin
materials. Moreover, the material recycling also makes the petroleum resource consumption
decreases because plastics are produces from petroleum which is the limited resource.
Therefore, overall impact of waste plastic recycling would be very high. There are two types
of Plastic recycling namely as,
1. Mechanical recycling and
2. Chemical recycling
There are many treatments and processes for plastic waste recycling such as washing to
remove dirt and contaminants, grinding and crushing to reduce the plastic particle size,
extrusion by heat and reprocessing into new plastic goods.
1. Mechanical recycling - Mechanical recycling is limited by the non-compatibility
between the different types of polymers in the mix. A higher quality of recycled plastics
is achieved when there is the separation of recycled resins prior to the remolding process.
Moreover, the color of recycled resins is also the one important issue of material
recycling. Recycled plastics cannot be used in food containers, unless direct content with
the food can be avoided. The recycled products are usually produced by two plastic resins
such as recycled resin and virgin resin, and the proportion of both resins is based on the
demand of market.
2. Chemical recycling - There is a range of chemical recycling methods as discussed below.
Hydrogenation is a chemical reaction between molecular hydrogen (H2) and plastics,
usually in the presence of a catalyst. The process is commonly employed to reduce or
saturate plastics. Hydrogenation typically constitutes the addition of pairs of hydrogen
atoms to a molecule. Plastics are produces from petroleum, so they can be recycled into
resources. The products which are generated from this oil recovery are gasoline, diesel,

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benzene, naphtha, and fuel oil. PE, PP, and PS, are preferred for this recycling. The
production method for the conversion of plastics to liquid fuel is based on the pyrolysis of
the plastics and the condensation of the resulting hydrocarbons. Plastics are decomposed
at 450 to 550 °C in the pyrolysis reactor. The product produced in the reactor is crude oil,
and then crude oil must distill to separate each kind of petroleum products depending on
the boiling point. Gasification is a process that converts plastics into carbon monoxide,
hydrogen and carbon dioxide. This is achieved by reacting plastics at high temperatures
(>700 °C), without combustion, with a controlled amount of oxygen and/or steam. The
resulting gas mixture is called ―singes‖ or producer gas and is itself a fuel. The power
derived from gasification and combustion of the resultant gas is considered to be a source
of renewable energy if the gasified compounds were obtained from biomass.
 Energy recovery (plastic waste to energy; WtE)
According to UNEP (2009), the solid fuels are produced from solid wastes which have high
calorific values, and solid wastes that are used to covert to solid fuels are kitchen wastes, used
paper, waste wood, plastics, and other dry feedstock. There are two types of solid fuels such
as RDF (refuse derived fuel), RPF (refuse-derived paper and plastic densified fuel). RDF is
usually made from municipal solid wastes (wastes wood, paper, plastics, etc.), while RPF
consists of plastic and paper wastes. The solid fuel productionprocess usually involves two
steps, pre-treatment (pre-treatment includes coarse shredding and removal of non-
combustible materials) and pellet production (pellet production comprises secondary
shredding and pelletizing (<200 °C)). The heating value of solid fuels depends on the
composition of the material contained especially RDF. RPF heating values can be controlled
easily due to using the dry and sorted plastic wastes which have been collected and separated
from industries and companies. The heating values of various fuels and wastes are shown in
below
Table 2.1 - . The heating values of various fuels and wastes5
Fuel or waste Typical heating value (kcal/kg)
RDF 4,000-5,000
RPF 6,000-8,000
Coal 6,000-8,000

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Heavy oil 9,500
Wood/paper 4,300
Plastics (PE) 11,000
MSW 1,000-1,500
 Plastic and polythene waste incineration
Plastic waste incineration can be used as an intermediate treatment method in plastic waste
management. However management of the pollutants generated during incineration such as
air emissions, bottom ash, fly ash and waste water is very expensive and it cannot be
maintained easily. Incineration is not a true waste disposal method as at least 10-15% of
residual ash must be disposed to the landfills after incineration of wastes.
 Alternative solutions ( New trends of material development)
 Biodegradable plastics: The BDP are similar to conventional plastics in all aspects
with the additional quality of being able to naturally decompose and break into
natural and safe byproducts. Hence if all plastics in the city waste were
biodegradable, it could simply be allowed to decompose along with the food and
other non-recyclable but biodegradable articles like wet paper and cotton fibers.
Biodegradable plastics typically are produced in two forms: injection molded (solid,
3D shapes), typically in the form of disposable food service items, and films,
typically organic fruit packaging and collection bags for leaves and grass trimmings,
and agricultural mulch.
 Bio plastics: A bio plastic is a plastic that is made partly or wholly from polymers
derived from biological sources such as sugar cane, potato starch or the cellulose
from trees, straw and cotton. Some bio plastics degrade in the open air, others are
made so that they compost in an industrial composting plant, aided by fungi, bacteria
and enzymes. Others mimic the robustness and durability of conventional plastics
such as polyethylene or PET. Bio plastics are more sustainable because they can
break down in the environment faster than fossil fuel plastics, which can take more
than 100 years. Bio plastics which are designed to biodegrade can break down in
either anaerobic or aerobic environments, depending on how they are manufactured.

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Some common applications of bio plastics are packaging materials, dining utensils,
food packaging, and insulation.
 Fibre-reinforced plastics: FRP or fibre-reinforced polymer is a composite material
made of a polymer matrix reinforced with fibres. The fibres are usually glass, carbon,
or ararmid, although other fibres such as paper or wood or asbestos have been
sometimes used. The polymer is usually an epoxy, vinyl ester or polyester
thermosetting plastic, and phenol formaldehyde resins are still in use. FRPs are
commonly used in the aerospace, automotive, marine, and construction industries.
Fibre-reinforced plastics are best suited for any design program that demands weight
savings, precision engineering, finite tolerances, and the simplification of parts in
both production and operation.
2.1.5: The polythene and plastic industry in Sri Lanka
There are around 232 companies in Sri Lanka are representing in plastics productions for
both local & international market.5
The industry processes many commodity plastics and
engineering plastics using modern technologies. The inflow and the outflow of primary forms
and finished products of plastics play a vital role in the Sri Lankan economical sector.
According to annual Central Bank reports it has been estimated that Sri Lanka earns Rs. 2.8
Billion foreign exchange via imports and exports of plastics. Sri Lanka imports around
160,000 MT of plastic raw materials (primary forms) and another 100,000 MT of finished
and intermediate products every year. In the meantime it exports around 280,000 MT while
the capacity of our local processing industry presently being nearly 120,000 MT per annum
with an annual average growth rate of around 10%. Most of them remain in the environment
as Post-Consumer Plastic Waste causing severe environmental and health problems.5
Hence
waste plastic collection and recycling has been an important strategy in order to reduce the
amount of plastic waste accumulated in the environment.
2.1.6: Polythene and plastic Waste in Sri Lanka
Plastics are widely used in Sri Lanka due to their low cost and availability. Generally
Municipal Solid Waste comprises of different waste types. SEA is presently under taking a
waste analysis at Meethotamulla dump site with project objective of Waste composition. The
analysis is being carried out according to the International Standard ASTM - American

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Society for Testing and Materials - Standard Test Method for Determination of the
Composition of Unprocessed Municipal Solid Waste -D5231 – 92 - 2008) This
characterization study indicates the waste composition graphically shown in Figure 2.4.
According to the present results, it seems reducing the biodegradable percentage than
previous whereas plastic and polythene composition has increased significantly.
2.1.7: Available solutions for handling polythene and plastic waste in Sri Lanka
1. Recycling of polythene and plastic waste
The class of thermoplastics is the main types of plastics in use in Sri Lanka, which soften on
heating and harden again when cooled; this property makes them suitable for mechanical
recycling. Most plastic recycling enterprises in Sri Lanka are small-scale operations,
generally processing approximately 75-100 tons of plastic per month. The most commonly
used raw materials are PP, HDPE, LDPE, PET, and PS with polycarbonate and PVC also
being recycled.7
After these materials are collected and sorted the recycling of plastics
generally occurs through the following four processing steps of the plastic production: size
reduction, washing, extrusion, and pelletizing.
Metals
1%
Glass
1%
Plastics
12%
Construction and
demolition materials
1%
Textile
8%
Paper and paer
boards
12%
Organic
55%
secial care waste
1%
other waste
9%
Waste composition analysis
Figure 2.3 – Waste composition analysis.
(Source: SLSEA undertaking project result (May changed with completion of the project)

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2. Burning and recovering the energy for power generation or heating
Burning and recovering the energy for power generation or heating is another method of
plastic disposal. But, the incinerators pollute the air with toxic gases or fumes and ash.
Central Environment Authority has banned the, The burning of polythene and plastics in open
places with effect from 1st of September2017. Therefore, large scale plastic burning and
recovering the energy or heating should be done with special permit of CEA. Presently no
proper incineration system exists in Sri Lanka which satisfies these conditions. It is possible
to construct incinerators designed to operate at appropriate temperatures and with an
environmentally friendly way. This is seen when considering incinerators for medical waste
disposal where there is larger percentage of plastics.
3. National Post Consumer Plastic Waste Management Project of CEA
National Post Consumer Plastic Waste Management Project, implemented by CEA began
functioning on 21st
May 2007. It was initially funded by 1% CESS imposed on imports of all
plastic raw materials and finished goods and thereafter it was increased up to 10% on
reducing prices of virgin plastics due to a fuel price drop in 2009. This project is being
monitored by Plastic Partnership Committee the members of which were appointed from
private sector and government.13
a. Development of regional polythene and plastic waste collection systems,
b. Development of plastic recycling networks,
c. Conducting awareness and promotional campaigns,
are the concerns of the National Post-Consumer Plastics Waste Management Project
a. Development of regional polythene and plastic waste collection systems
Introduction of the separation of plastic waste from the solid waste generated by households
and in public areas, development of a plastic waste collection system, development of a
system to clean and sort (by material) the collected waste and connection of the waste
collection system with a network of recyclers.
b. Development of plastic recycling networks
Set up a comprehensive database of the plastic recyclers including capacity and materials,
promote plastic recycling activities in remote areas, improve value addition in plastic
recycling, improve plastic recycling/disposal capability in Sri Lanka to handle all Post-
Consumer plastic materials including composites, research and development on plastic

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recycling options and development of the plastic industry in an environmentally friendly
manner.
c. Conducting awareness and promotional campaigns
Awareness creation to local authorities and potential collectors, creation of awareness of the
positive benefits of plastic collection for recycling among households and schools,
disseminating information on proper plastic collection system, including types, sorting and
storage to regional collectors, media reinforcement through advertisements, talk shows,
teledramas and exhibition and island wide competitions to promote better awareness of
plastic applications, usage and disposal.
(Source: The Waste Management Committee. (2005), National Post Consumer Plastic Wastes Management
Project-Progress Report, Central Environmental Authority of Sri Lanka. State Printing Corporation of Sri
Lanka.institutions.)
2.2: Environmental communication
2.2.1: An introduction to Environmental communication
Environmental communication is the application of communication approaches, principles,
strategies and techniques to environmental management and protection. Simply put, it is the
deliberate exchange of environmental information, knowledge, and even wisdom.
Environmental communication is inspired by general systems theory. Among other things,
GST submits that a living system has to perform three critical functions. These functions are:
1. The exchange of materials with its environment and with other living systems;
2. The exchange of energy with its environment and other living systems; and
3. The exchange of information with its environment and other living systems.
All living systems, from the simplest to the most complex, are equipped to perform these
critical functions. They are called ―critical‖ because they are necessary for the survival of the
living system.14
Communication is nothing more than the exchange of information. Hence, at its broadest
sense, environmental communication is necessary for the survival of every living system, be
it an organism, an ecosystem, or a social system. Environmental communication likewise
adheres to the principle that the goal of human communication is mutual understanding. This
belief is the very foundation of the Convergence Model of Communication, which was based
on GST and formulated by D. Lawrence Kincaid in the seventies.14

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Applied to the environmental agenda, communication should not be regarded merely as
supportive to environmental management but as an integral part of it. Without this
component, the entire environmental undertaking is jeopardized. Furthermore, environmental
communication should not be source-oriented or media-centric. It should allow for greater
participation of the public. In fact, it should enable and empower the audience not to stay as
passive receivers but to become active sources of information as well. (Alexander G. Flor,
2004)
According to J. Robert Cox, the field of environmental communication is composed of seven
major areas of study and practice:
1. Environmental rhetoric and discourse
2. Media and environmental journalism
3. Public participation in environmental decision making
4. Social marketing and advocacy campaigns
5. Environmental collaboration and conflict resolution
6. Risk communication, and
7. Representations of Nature in popular culture and green marketing
(Source: https://en.wikipedia.org)
This study is focused only the area of public participation in environmental decision making.
2.2.2: Public participation
Participation can be viewed as a continuum of interaction between government and the
public, ranging from informing and listening at one end, to implementing jointly agreed
solutions at the other; and in between there is dialogue, debate and analysis. Public
participation can be described as a deliberative process by which interested or affected
citizens, civil society organizations, and government actors are involved in policy-making
before a political decision is taken.(Source: http://www.eukn.eu)
Public participation is part of ―people centered‖ or "human centric" principles, which have
emerged in Western culture over the last thirty years, and has had some bearings
of education, business, public policy and international relief and development programs.
Public participation is advanced by the humanist movements. Public participation may be
advanced as part of a ―people first‖ paradigm shift. In this respect public participation may
challenge the concept that "big is better" and the logic of centralized hierarchies, advancing

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alternative concepts of ―more heads are better than one‖ and arguing that public participation
can sustain productive and durable change. (Source: https://en.wikipedia.org)
2.2.3: Public participation in environmental governance
Public participation is a crucial element in environmental governance that contributes to
better decision making. It is recognized that environmental problems cannot be solved by
government alone. Participation in environmental decision-making effectively links the
public to environmental governance. By involving the public, who are at the root of both
causes and solutions of environmental problems, in environmental discussions, transparency
and accountability are more likely to be achieved, thus secures the democratic legitimacy of
decision-making that good environmental governance depends on.
Environmental governance is expected to operate within a framework coinciding the
"constitutional principle of fairness ", which inevitably requires the fulfillment of
"environmental rights" and ultimately calls for the engagement of public. Further, in the
context of considerable scientific uncertainties surrounding environmental issues, public
participation helps to counter such uncertainties and bridges the gap between scientifically-
defined environmental problems and the experiences and values of stakeholders. Through
joint effort of the government and scientists in collaboration with the public, better
governance of environment is expected to be achieved by making the most appropriate
decision possible.
Although broad agreements exist, the notion of public participation in environmental
decision-making has been subject to a sustained critique concerning the real outcome of
participatory environmental governance. Critics argue that public participation tends to focus
on reaching a consensus between actors who share the same values and seek the same
outcomes. However, the uncertain nature of many of the environmental issues would
undermine the validity of public participation, given that in many cases the actors come to the
table of discussion hold very different perceptions of the problem and solution which are
unlikely to be welded into a consensus due to the incommensurability of different positions.
Consequently, who should be involved at what points in the process of environmental
decision-making and what is the goal of this kind of participation become central to the

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debates on public participation as a key issue in environmental governance. (Source:
https://en.wikipedia.org)
2.2.4: Public participation in environmental governance in Sri Lanka
Backed by a strong civil society, there are a large number of environmental non-
governmental organizations (NGOs) operating in Sri Lanka. The CEA consults directly with
NGOs on a range of issues, and maintains a registered database of over one hundred
environmental NGOs and has provided an office at the CEA headquarters for NGOs. In fact,
the Road Map recognized the need to establish ‗focal units‘ at CEA headquarters and regional
offices for coordination with civil society, as well as a facility at the headquarters and
regional offices to respond to public complaints.12
Access to Information - Sri Lanka does not have an access to information law, although the
Law Commission has recommended the need for one, and judicial decisions favor
recognizing the right to have access to information in an environmental context. The
Evidence Ordinance also provides that where a right to inspect a public document exists, the
person entitled to examine is also entitled to obtain a certified copy. In the absence of a right
to information act, the usual approach is that information is confidential unless declared not
to be so. 12
Citizen Complaints - CEA responds to citizen complaints either in writing or by a complaint
hot line that is located at the Western Province Provincial Office. For the hotline, there is no
support unit or dedicated staff to follow up on complaints, and CEA merely directs
complaints to the relevant division for investigation. The concerned division deals with
subsequent inquiries from the complainants, which takes a considerable amount of staff time.
In general, the judiciary in Sri Lanka has been positive in its response to public interest
litigation. During the last few decades, several high profile environmental cases have
established important precedents with respect to the shared responsibilities between the State
and society, transparency in decision making, establishing monitoring committees with
representation from the affected community to monitor individual industries, etc. Public
nuisance litigation – the invocation of the powers of prerogative writs and the exercise of
fundamental rights jurisdiction – continues to play a significant role in environmental
litigation. Actions akin to ‗class actions‘ can be brought in terms of the Civil Procedure Code

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though these provisions have not been explored sufficiently in relation to environmental
issues.
Key Challenges - Public access to information is not recognized in law, which limits public
participation in decision making related to compliance and enforcement. Ineffective citizen
complaints process and limited public awareness of program reduces opportunities for CEA
to leverage public involvement in compliance and enforcement process. (Source:
Environmental Compliance and Enforcement in Sri Lanka: Rapid Assessment, 2006)
2.3: Previous experience of public participation in regulations on
controlling of polythene and plastic usage in Sri Lanka
The Ministry of Environment of Sri Lanka and the CEA took the initiative with wide
stakeholder participation to introduce regulatory measures to minimize negative impacts on
the environment and human health due to thin polythene. Through Gazette numbered 1466/5
and dated 10 October 2006, manufacture of polythene product of 20 um or below in thickness
was prohibited from 1 January 2007. This had been done by virtue of the powers vested to the
honorable Minister of Environment as per the National Environment Act no 47 of 1980.
The said Gazette Notification is:
Order under section 23 W "By virtue of the powers vested in me by the Section 23 W of the
National Environmental Act, No 47 of 1980 as amended from time to time, I, Maithripala
Sirisena, Minister of Environment do by this order, with effect from 1s t of January 2007,
prohibit,
I. The Manufacture of Polythene or any product of twenty (20) microns or below in thickness
for on country use; and
II. The sale or use of polythene product which is twenty (20) microns or below in thickness.
For the purpose of this Order "polythene" means any solid products, bags, material or
contrivances manufactured using all form of polyethylene, poly vinyl chloride, poly
propylene, polystyrene, polyethylene terapthalate or any other similar raw material used for
this purpose of carrying, packaging, wrapping or packing".16

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The Waste Management Unit of the CEA had conducted a survey to investigate the
effectiveness of the Regulation in order to propose necessary amendment to the existing
Regulation. Data collection was done according to a questionnaire through Divisional
Environmental Officers of the CEA.
According to the data obtained from Sri Lanka Customs the quantity of plastic and polythene
imported had increased by 3 % from 2005 to 2006. It had only increased by 1% from 2006 to
2007. This spoke in favour of the Regulation. However, the survey results had indicated that
the usage of raw materials had increased after the Regulation. The population increases and
increased consumption and related production could be one reason. Another reason might be
due to increased thickness of polythene products requiring more raw materials. Whole sales
of polythene products had decreased considerably in the country after implementation of the
Regulation. According to the survey burning of Polythene was the most popular disposed
method in our country. The second was polythene disposal with other types of waste.
Monaragala, Badulla, Polonnaruwa, Hambanthota & Trincomalee were poor in recycling
while Colombo, Kandy,Gampaha, Matara & Galle were considerably good in recycling than
other districts. There was a clear change in usage of polythene after the implementation of
Regulation. Polythene usage and sales had increased in the western province which is
inevitable since the population of this province increases rapidly here in comparison to other
provinces and migrant population is also high in this province. In addition to this the
deficiency of alternatives for lunch sheets in Colombo also, was a reason for the non-
reduction in the use of polythene, but polythene consumption and sales had comparatively
reduced in other districts after new Regulation. Hence, then this Regulation had achieved its
objective to a considerable extent.(Source: Study report understand the effectiveness on thin
polythene regulation, 2008)
2.4: Recent regulations on controlling of polythene and plastic usage in Sri
Lanka
2.4.1: Why need to control, the use of polythene and plastic
Polythene and plastic products are widely available in the markets since about 1980 in SL.5
Because of its low price and convenience, people got used to utilize them. Polythene bags
which are the most problematic type of polythene products particularly since it is give free of

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charge at most retail outlets free of charge with even small purchases. SL does not have an
established active post-consumer management system including a properly established
recycling mechanism for the polythene and plastics. The general practice is that the used bags
are thrown away in to the environment without any consideration. The use of thin polythene
bags (Sili Sili bags) and lunch sheets are more problematic due to their lightweight and low
thickness and difficulty to reuse and recycle. They cause blocking of drainage canals and
thereby are main culprits in floods in urban areas even after a light rainfall. Despite many
public awareness campaigns uncontrolled and needless use of polythene is still continuing
creating adverse environmental impacts in our country. Not only, SL has been facing a
garbage crisis after a central garbage dump collapsed in April 2017, killing over 30 people
and burying an entire neighborhood. Local residents complained that piles of garbage were
left uncollected in the capital with the government vowing that it would clean up Colombo
and its outskirts. SL is also facing its worst ever dengue epidemic with over 225 patients
killed and over 80,000 infected. Because many of plastic and polythene related products are
provided good places for breeding of dengue mosquito. Also, plastic is the devil. It takes
about 500-1000 years for a polythene bag to decay. So people are doomed. Unless people
take action, that is. All this plastic and other garbage eventually finds its way into the bottom
of the ocean. If human are going to doom ourselves, might as limit it to only the human race
because it don't see whales or turtles walking out of plastics and polythene bags. Therefore,
authorities concerned to discourage and reduce the use and unsound disposal of polythene
had introduced number of measures recently.
2.4.2: Main Objectives of the Regulations
In a bid to make Sri Lanka polythene-free and find a sustainable solution to solid waste
management, President Mr. Maithripala Sirisena has announced a number of above measures.
Main objective of these regulations is to minimize environmental and health impacts due to
thin Polythene films and products of plastics. It is also intended to find a sustainable solution
to SWM problem in SL through the enhancement of reusability, recyclability of polythene
films and products by increasing the thickness of the polythene. Not only it also intended to
motivate entrepreneurs to produce alternatives and public to use environmentally friendly
alternatives with aid of traditional knowledge, to minimize environmental and health effects.

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2.4.3: Environmental and health implications polythene and plastic of usage recognized
by CEA
 Disturb the cleanliness and the aesthetics of the environment.
 Because of their lightweight, they can easily blow off and disperse uncontrollably
throughout the environment.
 Block the drainage channels and provide breeding grounds for disease bearing vectors.
 Eventually create flash floods in urban areas.
 Polythene hinders seed germination and plant growth
 Animals often eat garbage with polythene leading consequently to ill health and even
death.
 Create significant negative health effects by burning them in open area
 Air pollution by burning
 Polythene, Grocery bags and lunch sheets are almost freely available for use and
dispose in haphazard manner with other solid wastes. Therefore collection, separation
and cleaning of polythene are extremely difficult tasks, which hinder recycling. It is
very difficult to reuse and recycle polythene of low thickness.
2.4.4: Legal provision
The Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment of Sri Lanka and the CEA took the
initiative with wide stakeholder participation to introduce regulatory measures to minimize
negative impacts on environment and human health due to thin polythene. Current
government including CEA has banned the use, sale and production of polythene, lunch
sheets, rig foam boxes and shopping bags equals or less than 20 microns, with effect from 1st
of September 2017. The proposal was made by President Maithripala Sirisena, in his capacity
as the Minister of Mahaweli Development and Environment, to implement short term,
medium term and long term activities recommended by the committee of intellectuals
appointed in this regard, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
Short term activities
• Prohibition of polythene use for decorations in all events.
• Implement the prevailing regulations for prohibition of use, sale and production of
polythene equals or less than 20 microns.

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• Allow use of polythene less than 20 microns for essential activities only on the approval
of Central Environmental Authority.
• Prohibition of sale, importation and production of lunch sheets.
• Prohibition of sale, importation and production of containers, plates, cups, spoons made
using polystyrene.
• Prohibition of sale of processed or cooked meals packed in polythene containers.
• Promotion of providing paper, cloth or reed bags or biologically degradable plastics for
customers when purchasing items in stores.
• Prohibition of burning polythene and plastic in open places.
• introduction and promotion of biologically degradable polythene and plastics.
Midterm activities
• Provision of tax concessions in importation of machinery used in biologically degradable
plastic productions.
• Imposing a CESS tax of 15% on importation of plastic row material and goods.
Long term activities
• Completely prohibition of recycled plastic products.
Through Gazette numbered No. 2034/33 and dated 01 September 2017, manufacture, sale,
offer for sale, offer free of charge, exhibition or use of polythene or any polythene product of
twenty (20) microns or below in thickness is prohibited with effect from 1 September 2017
and declare that the Order published in Gazette Extraordinary No. 1466/5 of October 10,
2006 is hereby rescinded without prejudice to anything done thereunder.1
This has been done
by virtue of the powers vested to the high Excellency President, Democratic Socialist
Republic of Sri Lanka as well as the honorable Minister of Environment, as per the Section
23w of the National Environmental Act, No. 47 of 1980 read with Section 51 of the
Nineteenth Amendment.1
(See Appendix 01)

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In addition to the above regulation the Government of SL has taken a number of policy
decisions to address the issue of environment friendly management of polythene and plastic
to reduce the environmental impacts. Some of them are as follows.
 Prohibit the manufacture, sale, offer for sale, offer free of charge, exhibition or use of
food wrappers or lunch sheets manufactured from polythene (includes high density
polyethylene, low density polyethylene and polypropylene) as a raw material within the
country.1
(See Appendix 02)
 Prohibit the manufacture, sale, offer for sale, offer free of charge, exhibition or use of any
bag includes grocery bags generally referred to as ‗‗sili - sili bags‘‘ manufactured from
high density polyethylene as a raw material within the country.1
(See Appendix 03)
 Prohibit the burn openly or cause to, allow or permit the open burning of refuse or other
combustible matters inclusive of plastics.1
(See Appendix 04)
 Prohibit the use of all forms of polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene products or
polypropylene products as decoration in political, social, religious, national, cultural or
any other event or occasion.1
(See Appendix 05)
 Prohibit the manufacture, sale, offer for sale, offer free of charge, exhibition or use of
food containers or lunch boxes, plates, cups and spoons manufactured from expanded
polystyrene within the country.1
(See Appendix 06)
The CEA has also recommended the Government to impose 15 percent CESS during
importation of plastic raw material and related products and provide 5 percent out of that to
the CEA to manage polythene and plastic waste. It has further proposed to totally ban the
importation of recycled plastic raw material. It has recommended giving tax concessions for
the machinery for recycling of plastic waste and for biodegradable raw materials and
manufacturing machinery.1
2.4.5: Stakeholders
 Government sectors – CEA, Ministry of Environment and Mahawali Development,
Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, Sri Lanka Poloice and other Forces, Provincial
council, and Local authorities etc.
 Non- Government organization – Sarwodaya campaign, Nature protection society, and Sri
Lankan Boy Scout campaign youth associations, and women associations etc.
 General people, Religious leaders, Environmentalists and shop holders etc.
 Private sector – Private companies (CIC, MAS, BRANDIX), and Super markets etc.
 Media – Television and radio channels, newspapers , Social media etc.

27 | P a g e
Chapter 03
Methodology
The methodology was carried out through primary and secondary research information.
Primary information was gathered through questionnaire survey, interviews and discussions
which were aimed to plastic and polythene consumers (general people) in different ages,
genders and educational levels.
Secondary information was gathered through books, newspapers articles, magazines, Gazette
notifications, and online information to fulfill the previously mentioned objectives of the
study.
3.1: Description of the study areas
The study was conducted in Nugawela East area of Kahawatta city in Rathnapura district
which was located at 145 Km away from Colombo. The latitude and longitude of Kahawatta
City are 6°34'57.18"N and 80°34'27.83"E respectively. The average temperature varies from
24 to 35 °C, 9
and there are high humidity levels. The city is 21 m (69 ft.) above sea level.
According to the information from Grama Niladhari officer the city has a total human
population of 1356 of which 677 were men and 679 were women2
. Various religious
communities such as Buddhists, Tamils, Christians and Islams are lived in the city. The main
economic activities are commerce (trading and Gem business), manufacturing enterprises
agriculture (rice, tea and rubber plantation) and gem mining
According to the Grama Niladhari officer in study area, there is no clear program to control
the usage of the polythene and plastic in study area, but polythene and plastic waste generate
at the city area separately collected by the local authority of Kahawatta and citizens should be
separately handed over the polythene and plastic waste to the garbage collectors of the local
authority.

28 | P a g e
3.2: Sampling techniques, data collection and analysis
Primary information was collected from 34 respondents in Nugawela East. The study subjects
were selected using random sampling technique. Among the visited households, at least one
member of the family was picked randomly for the study regardless of his/her age and
educational status as long as he/she was willing. (Table 5.1)The number of male respondents
was higher than female respondents due to the fact that males showed more readiness to be
interviewed and contributed to fill the questionnaires provided. To collect the data, semi-
structured questionnaires were prepared in Sinhala Medium (See Appendix 07). Analysis of
the collected data was carried out using Microsoft Excel software - version 2010.
Table 3.1 - Demographic profiles of respondents of questionnaire survey in Nugawela east area of Kahawatta
city
Variable Categories No. of responders Percentage (%)
Gender Female 16 47.1
Male 18 52.9
Total 34 100
Age < 20 2 5.9
21 - 40 16 47.1
41 - 60 11 32.4
61< 5 14.7
Total 34 100
Educational
level
Illiterate 0 0
Grade 8 passed 3 8.8
GCE Ordinary level passed 12 35.3
GCE Advanced level
passed
7 20.6
Higher Education 12 35.3
Total 34 100

29 | P a g e
Figure 3.2 – Satellite view of the Study area (Kahawatta city). (Source: Google Earth –Satellite view Application)
Figure 3.1 – Map of the Kahawatta city (Source: Google Earth- Google map Application)

30 | P a g e
Chapter 04
Results and Discussion
4.1: Identifying the current usage of polythene and plastic.
The second question serious of the questionnaire based on identification of the current status
of the usage of polythene and plastic and the main purposes, why people have tended to
polythene products.(See Figure 4.1) Through the results expressed by the questionnaires it
shows that 31(91.2%) respondents use polythene and only 3 (8.8%) are do not use them.
When analyzing the questionnaire results it has clearly visible that most of respondents who
use polythene and plastic products for carrying away things and goods in day-to -day life
and packing purposes.
4.2: Identifying nature of the usage of polythene and plastic.
The next part based on the nature of the usage of polythene and plastic. Of the 31 respondents
who use polythene and plastic products, the largest proportion of them (25, 40.3 %) used
Shopping /Sili bags in high frequency as compared to other plastic products. This was
followed by the usage of Lunch sheets(18, 29.0%) plastic bottles (12, 19.4%), Polythene
sheets (5, 8.1%) and Rig form lunch box (2, 3.2%) (See Figure 4.2). These results revealed
that majority of the respondents in each category use shopping / sili bags in their daily life.
The results also indicated that usage of plastic bags is high among residents of Kahawatta
city, and also, the residents noticed the increasing trend of usage of shopping / sili bags from
time to time. Not only all these facts suggest that plastic shopping bags are also widely
utilized products in other big cities of the country.
Use Do not use
No. of respondents 31 3
0
10
20
30
40
Figure 4.1 – Nature of the current plastic and polythene usage (Nugawela East area in Kahawatta city)

31 | P a g e
()
The survey results indicated that regardless of gender, educational level and age, majority of
the city residents widely used shopping bags in their daily life activities than other plastic
products. When talking about polythene and plastic products it should be considered about
the reasons, why people have chosen those in their day-to-day life tasks. According to the
results, some of the main reasons attributed to the widespread usage are easy availability (17,
41.5%) and lack of alternative materials (16, 39.0%).(See Figure 4.3)
These findings are consistent with other reports describing that, cheap price, easy availability
and excellent fitness for use and resource efficiency as main reasons for widespread
utilization of polythene bags by billions of customers throughout the world. Though, low
Shoping bags /
Sili bags
Lunch sheets
Polythene
sheets
Plastic bottles
Rig form lunch
box
No. of Responders 25 18 5 12 2
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
Figure 4.2 - Types of polythene and plastic products, highly (commonly) used. (Nugawela East area in
Kahawatta city)
Note - Multiple responses were possible.
Low price Easy availability
Lack of alternative
materials
Light weight
No. of Responders 5 17 16 3
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
Figure 4.3 - Factors attributed for widespread utilization of polythene and plastic products. . (Nugawela East area
in Kahawatta city)

32 | P a g e
price (5, 12.2%) and light weight (3, 7.3%) are mentioned as additional contributing factors
for excessive utilization of polythene bags in the city, their contribution was found to be less
important as compared to the above mentioned reasons. (See Figure 4.3) During the course of
survey and day-to-day life, it can also observe many shopkeepers and retailers distributing
shopping bags (Sili bags) free of charge to their customers for carrying other sold items. This
suggests that cheapness/low price and free distribution of these materials by retailers and
supermarket owners are believed to be the main reasons for the widespread usage and
problems of polythene and plastic. This argument is consistent with the results of similar
surveys in other big cities of the world. For instance, a survey in the city of Sydney,
Australia, showed that 64% of customers of supermarkets use free polythene bags
demonstrated that the modern society show high preference to polythene bags over other
possible alternatives.
4.3: Identifying current practices of the disposal of polythene and plastic
wastes.
Forth part of questionnaire aimed to identify the current practices of disposal, reasons for the
relevant practices and to get an opinion from citizens about the disposal methods. It is
obvious that at the end of their short service life, plastic and polythene products it become
wastes. Therefore, the respondents were also asked about the ways on how they used to
dispose plastic wastes. Here, burning, burying, hand over to local authority and dump
anywhere were considered as popular practices of disposal of polythene and plastic.
The results indicated that, most of respondents are burnt (14, 33.3%) and handed over their
plastic waste to local authority (13, 35.9%) (See Figure 4.4). It cannot satisfactory 100%
about the results. Because of these practices, indiscriminate burning of the wastes which is
Burning Burying
Handing over to
Local authority
Dump anywhere
No. of Responders 14 6 13 6
0
5
10
15
Figure 4.4 - Practices of disposal of polythene and plastic wastes. (Nugawela East area in Kahawatta city)

33 | P a g e
caused to negative health impacts and regional air pollution was used by majority of the
residents. The possible reason could be that many women use the plastic and polythene
wastes for carrying fire in kitchens. It is a fact that burning can help to get rid of plastic
wastes or to reduce the volumes of these wastes in the environment. However, this burning
should not be encouraged for several reasons such as greenhouse gas emissions that cause
climate change and release of toxic organic compounds into the environment that causes
different health risks, such as respiratory health problems. Thus, the public in study area
should be educated and informed outright, regarding the impact of burning of plastic wastes
as a practice of disposal. Considerable amount of citizens are used handing over their plastic
waste to Kahawatta local authority as practice of disposal. Dumping anywhere/ throwing to
the surrounding areas (6, 15.4%) and burying (6, 15.4%) can be mentioned as one of the
commonly used disposal practice for disposing of plastic and polythene wastes in the study
area (See Figure 4.4). However, these methods should not be considered as alternative
methods to avoid problems associated with plastic and polythene. This is because the plastic
wastes have potentials to leach their chemical components and toxins into soil and water
sources, which can be passed to humans, resulting in serious health hazards. Specially, these
facts and results of the present study suggest the immediate need of an urgent action to
educate the community in study area about human health risk of burning plastic and
polythene waste.
According to the questionnaires results, majority of respondents noted that, they were tended
to above disposal practices due to lack of alternatives. (18, 52.9%). Some respondents said
that they use above practices due to the formal processes (9, 26.5%) and only few people
were considered above methods as easy practices. (7, 20.6%) (See Figure 4.5)
Easy
Lack of any alternative
method
Formal process
No. of Responders 7 18 9
0
5
10
15
20
Figure 4.5 - Reasons for practices of disposal of polythene and plastic. (Nugawela East area in Kahawatta city)

34 | P a g e
When considering the public opinion on their practices of disposal of polythene and plastic,
results show that majority of respondents were known about the disposal of plastic waste to
the environment is harmful.(29, 85.3%).This means many of citizens regardless of gender,
educational level and age have recognized the environmental of the unsustainable disposal
methods. Results seems that, few people were thought those are eco-friendly methods.(3,
8.8%) and only two respondents (5.9%) had not a clear idea about the effect of their disposal
practices on surrounding environment. (See Figure 4.6)
4.4: Identifying the Problems associated with the usage of plastic and
polythene.
Fifth part of the questionnaire focused on the getting public opinion about the usage of plastic
and polythene and the problems/issues associated with the usage and disposal of them. Of the
34 respondents majority of respondents in study area had been recognized the usage of plastic
and polythene as a problem (33, 97.1%) and none of considered as not a problem. Only one
had not a clear idea about the usage. (1, 2.9%) (See Figure 4.7) According to results, it can
say that, majority of the respondents in Nugawela East area have realized the problematic
nature of the usage of polythene and plastic.
Eco-friedly method Hram to the environment No special idea
No.of Responders 3 29 2
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
Figure 4.6 – Public opinion on practices of disposal of polythene and plastic. (Nugawela East area in Kahawatta
city)

35 | P a g e
There are several problems associated with improper disposal of plastic and polythene wastes
in study area. The data given in Figure 5.8 indicated that, deterioration of natural beauty of
environment (24, 35.3%), human health problems (20, 29.4%), animal death (12, 17.6%) and
blockage of sewage systems (12, 20.4%) were some of the problems stressed by the
respondents. (See Figure 4.8)
Results show that, Deterioration of environmental beauty or littering was mentioned as the
serious problem than others by the majority of the respondents. This could be attributed to the
open dumping culture of the residents. The chemical stability of plastic bag wastes prevents
them from decomposing at a rate comparable to the rate of waste generation. Once they enter
into environment, plastic bags can be carried by wind to distant places due to their lightness
in weight, and can create serious damages in urban areas. The results of the current survey
indicated that majority of the respondents are concerned about their background and
environment than their health. Not only, have they also cared about the human health next to
the impact of the environment. Burning polythene and plastic causes to respiratory diseases
and air pollution. The recent studies showed that reusable plastic bags can become habitats
for pathogenic microorganism. For instance, reuse of plastic bags to carry groceries could
cause a significant risk of cross contamination of food by pathogenic bacteria. These facts
and results of the present study suggest the need of a continuous action to educate the
community about human health risk of polythene and plastic. Among domestic animals most
affected ones were stray cattle, cats and dogs. It has been reported that during the time of
shortage of food, such domestic animals eat plastic bags (especially those wastes containing
food leftovers) indiscriminately. This results in complications of the digestive systems and
It is a Problem It is not a problem No idea
No. of responders 33 0 1
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
Figure 4.7 – Public opinion on problems associated with the usage of plastic and polythene. (Nugawela East area
in Kahawatta city)

36 | P a g e
health of animals. If untreated timely, this could lead to the death of animals and economic
loss to their owners. Another problem was blockage of drainage systems and over flowing of
liquid wastes or flood water in different parts of the Kahawatta city. Therefore considerable
amount of respondents had recognized the animal deaths and blockage of drainage, as
negative impacts or issues due to polythene and plastic waste. Majority of the respondents in
each category had good awareness about the problems associated with plastic and polythene
wastes. This suggests that it needs only a little effort to mobilize the residents to take action
against post-use disposal and utilization of polythene and plastic product. However, much has
to be done in order to change polythene using habit of the people.
4.5: Identify the public participation through the awareness of current
regulations on the usage of the polythene and plastic.
The sixth part of the question directly analyzed the public awareness on the banning of use,
sale and production of polythene, lunch sheets, rig foam boxes and shopping bags with equals
or less than 20 microns thickness, with effect from 1st of September 2017 by CEA. It also
analyzed the Media exposure (such as television, social media, newspapers and others etc.) of
the community as the ways of the awareness about the above banning in the point of view of
environmental communication.
According to the results of the public awareness about the recent banning of polythene and
plastic, majority of respondents (30, 88.2%) had known about the above banning. Only few
Humen health
problems
Blockage of
sewage and
drainage
sysytems
Deterioration
of
environmental
beauty and
aesthetic
aspect
Animal
feedings and
increased
animal death
Not aware
about any
problem
No. of resonders 20 12 24 12 0
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
Figure 4.8 - Problems associated with the usage of plastic and polythene. (Nugawela East area in Kahawatta
city)

37 | P a g e
respondents (4, 11.8%) had not aware still. (See Figure 4.9) This means above topic have
been effectively discussed among the majority of people regardless of gender, educational
level and age in study area.
When considering the Media exposure of the community about recent controlling the plastic
and polythene majority of the respondents (23, 51.1%) appreciated the important roles of
Television in dissemination of information about recent controlling of the some plastic and
polythene product in Sri Lanka. Other sources of information included newspapers (10,
22.2%), Social media (8, 17.8%) and Awareness programs from Ministry of Health (3, 6.7%)
(See Figure 4.10)
The results in Figure 6.10 suggest that it is possible to use these media to inform people about
the seriousness of problems posed by usage of polythene and plastic (products and wastes)
and also to change their day-to-day habits. Though not quantified, it is believed that a large
number of people have access to television. Moreover, regardless of the educational status,
age level, people can capture messages which are directly related to environmental
communication from television. Thus, educating the community via these media can help to a
better understanding of the negative effects of usage and improper disposal of polythene and
plastic products and wastes. According to the results only 10 respondents used to get
information from published materials like newspapers. This could be attributed to lack of
these materials having coverage on this topic or lack of the reading habits among young
generation. Nowadays, social Medias are the most popular among all the people regardless of
gender, educational level and age, but in this case contribution of social Medias to
communicate to people about controlling polythene and plastic is not enough. Not only some
Awared Not awared
No. of responders 30 4
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
Figure 4.9 - The public awareness on the recent regulations banning/ controlling of use, sale and production of
polythene and plastic (Nugawela East area in Kahawatta city)

38 | P a g e
respondents said that, the involvement of the Ministry of Health, police and educational
institute to communicate above message to people was extremely not enough in that area. But
only one respondent had got the message of controlling polythene and plastic from his
relation.
4.6: Public feedback of the Regional Programs of controlling Polythene and
plastic.
Final part of the questionnaires based on the public awareness of the regional programs which
already in operation to control the usage of the polythene and plastic and their feedback about
the program. According to results 13 (38.2%) respondents said that there were programs to
control the usage of polythene and plastic in study area. But majority (21, 61.8%) said that
there were not considerable programs in study area. (See Figure 4.11) In here, results seems
two opposite views from people in a same area due to their difference of the awareness and
interest about the programs which are already organized by aiming to reduce the usage of
polythene and plastic.
News
papers
Social Media Television
Awareness
programs
from the
Ministry of
Health
Police Other
No. of responders 10 8 23 3 0 1
0
5
10
15
20
25
Figure 4.10 - The Media exposure or contribution to communicate the message of controlling polythene and
plastics. (Nugawela East area in Kahawatta city)

39 | P a g e
According to the Grama Niladhari officer in study area, there is no clear program to control
usage of the polythene and plastic in study area, but polythene and plastic waste generate at
the city area separately collected by the local authority of Kahawatta and citizens should be
separately handed over the polythene and plastic waste to the garbage collectors of the local
authority. Some respondents appreciated waste separation and most of them had identified as
a good step to control the usage of polythene and plastic in Kahawatta city are. But, through
above action cannot control the usage of the plastic and polythene during citizens and it only
contribute to minimize the unsustainable disposal of polythene and plastic waste within the
city area.
When analyzing the public feedback of the regional programs, organized to control plastic
and polythene, majority said that program was successful (8, 61.5%). Some others views
were program is quite successful (2, 15.4%) This mean about 76.9% of respondents satisfy
with the collecting separated polythene and plastic waste by the local authority. (See Figure
4.12) But through only this process it cannot control the usage of the polythene and plastic.
Rest of the respondents were not satisfied this process, because they had realized, the waste
separation is not enough to control the regional public polythene usage. They said that they
hoped an effective involvement and better programs to implement and communicate the
government decision on the regulations of controlling use, sale and production of polythene
and plastic product before their disposal.
Programms in operation No programs
No. of responders 13 21
0
5
10
15
20
25
Figure 4.11 - The public awareness of the regional programs which already in operation to control the usage of
the polythene and plastic (Nugawela East area in Kahawatta city)

40 | P a g e
The information collected from respondents told that more than half of the respondents
agreed to discontinue utilization of polythene and plastic whereas the rest of them insisted on
continuing their utilization of these products. This suggests that intensive and extensive
awareness raising campaigns are required to educate the residents of the study area.
According to the interviews from some respondents, the practices of 3R concept (reduce,
reuse and recycling) are not popular method among the householders. Therefore, it is very
effective to promote the practices of 3R concept among householders. During study it could
see some notices insides some groceries that encourage customers to bring their own bags to
take away goods. That is a good practice to reduce the usage of polythene.
The data analysis is however done under several limitations. Data is not enough and is not
distributed representatively in whole study area, with limited time. Most have not responded
well to the survey. Some respondents rejected and did not willing to contribute questionnaire
survey. Most clear and standard data could have been obtained if only a standard method was
used for collection of data. False data from respondents causes to reduce the precision of the
results. Most clear results and correlations could have been obtained if a standard non-
parametric statistical test or method was used for analyzing data.
Quite successful Successful Quite unsuccessful Unsuccessful
No. of responders 2 8 2 1
0
2
4
6
8
10
Figure 4.12 - The public feedback of the regional programs, organized to control plastic and polythene.

41 | P a g e
Chapter 05
Conclusions
According to the results of the entire survey specially based on the statistical analysis, the
new regulations will appears to be effective with a powerful public participation. Because of
there is a considerable change of polythene usage after the establishment of regulations. It
can also satisfy about the current public opinion and awareness on the recent regulations of
controlling polythene and plastic within Sri Lanka. Because the result of the study indicated
that most of the respondents, regardless of their demographic background, are in favor of
banning of use, sale and production, of these polythene and plastic products, and awareness
of the adverse impacts of polythene and plastic wastes on environment, animal and human
health. Hence, it can be concluded that, these Regulations have achieved its objective to a
considerable extent. However, polythene bags are still widely used by the community more
than any other plastic products mainly due to their cheapness and easy availability. The
questionnaires survey results and field observations also indicated that the study area was
seriously polluted (air pollution) by burning of the polythene and plastic wastes particularly
burning of the polythene bags wastes.
By and large, it can be concluded that various campaigns need to be organized further, in
order to mobilize the public and other stakeholders against indiscriminate use and disposal of
polythene and plastic in order to communicate the governmental decision to all Sri Lankans
and get their active participation, inform about adverse impacts of use and improper disposal
of polythene plastic products and minimize solid wastes problems from the excessive
accumulation of polythene and plastic wastes in the environment. However, passing
legislations alone or Gazette Notifications are not sufficient conditions to curb the problems
of polythene and plastic (Solid waste problem). Therefore, the central government in
collaboration with other concerned authorities of the city like Local authority should
encourage people to use environment-friendly alternative materials, such as cloth bags, paper
bags and natural fiber bags etc. and to improve towards the 3R(Reduce, Reuse and Recycle)
concept.

Report on analyze public opinion on controlling polythene and plastic (Nugawela East , Kahawatta city, Sri Lanka)

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