Plastic problem calls for behavioural change from wider community

The Ministry of Environment, headed by Environment Minister Dr. Keheliya Rambukwella, held a public awareness campaign under the patronage of a project by PLEASE (Plastic Free Rivers and Seas for South Asia) and SACEP (South Asia Co-operative Environment Project) on November 8 .
Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Single use plastic waste has become one of the 21st century’s biggest environmental concerns. The SACEP, the PLEASE project together with the Central Environment Authority and the Ministry of Environment have come together to create public awareness on this pressing issue. 

Allies 

The Ministry of Environment held a public awareness campaign on November 8, 2023 under the patronage of a project by PLEASE (Plastic Free Rivers and Seas for South Asia) and SACEP (South Asia Co-operative Environment Project) along with the newly appointed Environment Minister Dr. Keheliya Rambukwella.

It is no secret that the country’s waste management, particularly plastic waste management, is at an all-time low. With other pressing issues at hand – the plastic waste problem is on the backburner; as most environmental issues always are. This initiative taken by the ministry and the SACEP focuses on creating awareness among the wider community on single use plastic waste, its detrimental effects and attempts to bring it back under the limelight where it belongs. 

The day’s proceedings started with a mini documentary on facts and figures of single use plastic waste. Highlighted in this mini documentary was the atrocious amount of plastic in land and sea. Oceans now contain approximately 150 million tonnes of plastic with over 4.8-12.7 million tonnes of single use plastic entering oceans annually. The production of single use plastic seems to be at an all-time high with the current production at 350 million tonnes per Anum and a forecasted threefold increase by 2050. 

‘Plastic’ originates from the Greek verb ‘plastikos’; meaning “capable of being shaped or moulded”. As a noun, the word commonly refers to the solid products of petrochemical-derived manufacturing. Plastic smaller than 5 mm is known as micro plastics, and those smaller than 0.1 µm are known as nano plastic. Micro plastics used in cosmetics and toothpaste are known as primary micro plastics- once disposed, they make its way to land, air and water posing a great environmental threat. This cycle is completed by these micro plastics finding its way back to us; statistics have shown that we consume 5 g of plastic weekly. 

Message by the ministry 

Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Environment , highlighted the importance of moving away from plastics and in-turn fossil fuels. This is no easy feat and would require years of work and dedication. We must continue doing what we can now so that future generations can benefit. This includes designing legally binding solutions and incorporating measures in our legislature; solutions which will have to be followed as law. Dr. Jasinghe spoke of how the plastic pollution crisis has so far existed and how we are now battling transboundary pollution. Transboundary pollution is when the pollution from one border or country makes its way to another border or country via seas and oceans. 66.8% of the plastic bottles found in coastal regions of Sri Lanka are bottles washed ashore from India, the day’s keynote speaker, founder of Pearl Protectors Muditha Katuwawala highlighted. 

SACEP Director General Ms. Rokeya Khaton emphasised the importance of development of plastic mitigation measures and conducting Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) on the complete pathway plastic takes from cradle to grave. It takes over 400 years for plastic to decompose naturally showing just how much of an effect single use plastic has on the environment. Khaton also spoke of the SACEP attempting to bridge the gaps between policy formation, public awareness and practice of good waste management methods in our day to day lives. This in the long run will eventually bring about a lasting behavioural change in the wider community.

It is no secret that the country’s waste management, particularly plastic waste management, is at an all-time low

Pearl Protectors

Keynote speaker Muditha Katuwawala highlighted what the amazing volunteers at Pearl Protectors do from physically collecting plastic and other waste from coastal regions across Sri Lanka, diving in search of pollutants where they have around 100 qualified volunteer divers and conducting surveys on the waste collected and producing vital statistical data. Katuwawala underscored that the 5 main plastic items the Pearl Protectors come across were: plastic bags, PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) bottles, food wrappers and packaging, sachets and straws. And the 5 main producers of these single use plastic waste are Unilever (14%), Coca Cola (10%), CBL (9%), Nestle (7%) and Maliban (6%). This goes to show just how much the big corporations should be held liable when it comes to plastic pollution in the country. 

The ‘Tik Tic Plastic’ campaign has been in operation for the past three months. It is headed by Dr. Kapila Sooriyaarachchi, communication specialist of the PLEASE Project. It consists of a holistic approach to mass media outreach for awareness on the single use plastic problem. Dr. Sooriyaarachchi calls it a 360o public awareness campaign that comprises two main components. The first is a social marketing campaign via Instagram, Tik Tok, Facebook and X (formerly known as Twitter) which focuses on quick stories, videos, and fun awareness programmes to reach people through these platforms. The second component is a more in-depth approach of awareness of knowledge management, social mobilisation, training awareness and advocacy programs to the community. 

Take home message…

Production and Pollution of single use plastic is at an exponential rate with no sight of a drop. The only way to stop this growth is if we as a people and as a country reduce, reuse and recycle the use of plastic. Where the production of single use plastic is concerned it will depreciate in due time. Ultimately the exponential pollution rates will also see a reduction. This by no means is an easy feat given that the current pollution rate is almost at the point of no return. Some might even say that the damage done is irreversible. However, with proper governance, education, awareness and practice we just might be able to save this little island we call home.