July 23, Colombo (LNW): The Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Natural Resources, and Sustainable Development has focused on a QR code-based system for collecting PET plastic bottles for recycling.
This discussion took place during a recent parliamentary meeting chaired by MP Ajith Mannapperuma.
Despite the annual import of 450,000 tons of plastic into Sri Lanka, only 50,000 tons are recycled, with the rest often being improperly disposed of, including burning in open environments.
Specifically, 1,200 tons of PET plastic are used monthly, but only 400 tons are recycled, leaving 900 tons polluting rivers, canals, and the soil.
The main obstacle to PET plastic collection is the public’s lack of incentive, as the bottles hold no value.
In response, the committee sought technical and financial proposals for a deposit-return scheme using QR codes, extending the submission deadline from 18th July to 27th August.
The committee also recommended making the Extended Producer Responsibility system mandatory.
Officials from the Ministry of Environment were tasked with studying international methods for QR code-based PET plastic collection and reporting back to the committee. MPs Jayantha Samaraweera and (Dr.) Thilak Rajapakshe also attended the meeting.
