Lack of proper hazardous waste disposal systems threatens environmental safety: CEA

By Leenah Wahab  

The absence of adequate hazardous waste disposal systems pose a number of difficulties to industries, a government official said yesterday. Director of Chemicals & Hazardous Waste Management Unit at the Central Environmental Authority (CEA), M.M.C.S.K. Malwana said companies face challenges in storing waste and are forced to pay large storage fees which drives them to deposit chemical discharge in water bodies, exacerbating environmental pollution.   

Citing 2017 water test reports conducted by the CEA in the Kelani river, heavy metal contamination was measured at 7% above acceptable limits, as well as chemical oxygen demand (36-37%) and dissolved oxygen (27-43%). “At a national level, there are not enough waste disposal sites. Currently, there are only two engineered landfills, Dompe sanitary landfill and Aruwakkalu in Puttalam,” he said.   

Malwana further emphasised that industries must obtain a valid Environmental Protection License (EPL) as per Section 23A of the National Environmental Act in handling effluence. Meanwhile, the Municipal and Urban Councils are responsible for managing domestic waste such as food, glass and paper. The CEA has warned that it will impose strict regulatory action on local authorities that fail to comply with waste management ordinances.  

The Aruwakkalu project, which resumed last August, has received scrutiny from environmental organisations due to concerns over biodiversity loss, soil contamination and groundwater depletion. Its location near the Puttalam Lagoon has further heightened these environmental concerns. Malwana stated that most landfill site operations have been neglected for almost two years despite the availability of equipment and manpower.  

In addition, the CEA have prohibited items difficult to recycle such as plastic shopping bags, yoghurt spoons and other single use cutlery due to the possession of up to 20 micro plastics, as per gazette notifications submitted. “We are closely monitoring industrial waste disposal, but better mechanisms need to be implemented immediately.”