Eco Spindles restores Ruhunu Kataragama Maha Devalaya environs collecting 2,306 kg of plastic waste

A group of volunteers and Eco Spindles team members who participated in the clean-up organised at the Ruhunu Katharagama Maha Dewalaya surrounding areas

The clean-up in progress

For thousands of Sri Lankans, the Ruhunu Kataragama Maha Devalaya and surrounding areas are the gateway to spiritual practice. Exhibiting deep care and concern for the environment and helping to keep the sacred site clean, Eco Spindles Ltd. renowned for its pioneering pathways towards recycling plastic waste, organised a clean-up at the pilgrim site recently. 

A portion of the plastic waste collected and awaiting transport to be recycled

Notably, this program is an annual project initiated by since 2014. Eco Spindles is a subsidiary of BPPL Holdings PLC. The program which took place from 21 July to 4 August, engaged over 50 enthusiastic volunteers from the ‘Soba Parisara Thurunu Samajaya’, a local youth society, and other local communities who actively supported the clean-up efforts to maintain the beauty of the surrounding environment. 

Eco Spindles team members also participated helping to ensure the area was restored and completely in harmony with nature. Due to COVID-19 and following social distancing regulations, a reduction in the number of pilgrims visiting the site was evident in comparison to previous years. 

However, the Eco Spindles team was able to efficiently collect 80,710 bottles, amounting to an impressive 2,306 kg of plastic waste. 

“The cleanliness and sanctity of this sacred site is often marred by plastic waste. Eco Spindles was able to actively engage local communities and youth to deepen their knowledge about environmental issues that need to be addressed and the importance of being proactive.”

“Rooted in our company’s values is environmental ethos and sustainable manufacturing by recycling plastic waste. Programs such as this reinforce our commitment to reduce plastic pollution. We work to ensure that PET bottles collected never become waste but are recycled to re-enter the economy as components of value-added products.” 

“Thereby we lead the charge in impacting the environment in a positive manner and also contributing to a circular economy on a national scale,” stated BPPL Holdings PLC Managing Director/CEO Dr. Anush Amarasinghe.

Eco Spindles is at the helm of the nation’s recycling revolution addressing the dire problem of plastic pollution. The company’s well-established island-wide collection network ensures over 250 metric tons of PET plastic waste is collected monthly and transformed through state-of-the-art machinery into mono filaments for brushes and polyester yarn for fabric manufacturers worldwide. 

Eco Spindles passion for recycling contributes a model of care for the environment leaving a positive footprint on earth.