• The project aims at preventing the release of empty plastic bottles to the environment 

By Sandun A Jayasekera

Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said the Environment Ministry was introducing a new water bottle of 500 milliliter capacity for Rs. 35 in association with the Trade Ministry and also to buy back the empty bottle for Rs. 10 making the actual cost of a water bottle only Rs.25,each.  

 The project aims at preventing the release of empty plastic bottles to the environment and also to control the drinking water market at a time the skyrocketing of the price of water bottles in the aftermath of the lifting of fixed price on water bottles.  

 “If a company or a state establishment purchases water bottles in bulk, it will cost only Rs. 19 a bottle because we waive off the commission of Rs.6.00 given to traders,” he added.   

Minister Amaraweera said plastic waste has become a major problem in saving the environment as only 7.1% of plastic imported is recycled.   

The Environment Ministry has already banned 14 plastic products and laws would be brought to ban a number of other products.   

 Minister Amaraweera added that the cabinet has already given approval to design a road map to formulate a five year strategic plan and to appoint a committee of experts to draw it in a bid to reach carbon-Net zero status by 2050.  

If a country is to reach a carbon-Net zero, it must primarily reduce its emissions of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and increase its carbon dioxide-absorbing ecosystems. It has been identified that the need to develop a roadmap and strategic plan to achieve the goal of making Sri Lanka a carbon-zero country by 2050.