PM wants plastic waste recycling laws amended

By Ashwin Hemmathagama

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe pointed out in Parliament yesterday the loopholes in environmental law, which has not warranted obtaining an environmental protection permit to stock solid plastic waste for recycling purposes.

“It is not required to get the approval from the Central Environmental Authority when storing solid waste. It’s not even required to obtain an environmental protection permit. However, a business registration has to be obtained. I believe that plastic waste recycling companies should also obtain an environment protection permit. But, to operate a plastic recycling company, obtaining approvals from the CEA is mandatory,” said the Prime Minister.

According to the regulations, allowing waste water from plastic recycling plants to get mixed with the ground water table is an offence which will result in a penalty of Rs. 10,000 or imprisonment for two years. “I take this opportunity to get the CEA’s attention on solid plastic waste recycling laws, which need to be amended. In the case of some complaints of well contamination, the Government has instructed the CEA to conduct tests free of charge. In addition, the Water Board laboratories are also capable of doing these tests,” he added.