Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has initiated a significant step towards addressing plastic waste management challenges in Sri Lanka. Through its ‘Project for Strengthening Plastic Management Capacity’, launched in September 2023, JICA conducted a comprehensive survey shedding light on the current state of plastic waste management in the country, previously unexplored.
Key findings from the survey highlight that plastic waste constitutes approximately 10 percent of the waste collected by local authorities, with packaging plastics like Single-Use Plastics (SUP) comprising a significant portion. Despite the presence of 49 recycling facilities nationwide with a combined capacity to recycle 152 tons of plastic per day, the actual recycling rate stands at around 100 tons daily.
In response to these findings, JICA recently engaged with the Faculty of Applied Sciences of University of Sri Jayewardenepura, the sole institution in Sri Lanka housing a Polymer Science Department. During lectures delivered by JICA officers and experts, both faculty members and students exhibited remarkable interest in the insights on plastics management, signaling unprecedented enthusiasm for collaborative efforts.
Recognizing the necessity for a multi-stakeholder approach involving industry, government, and academia, JICA emphasizes continued proactive dialogues to devise effective solutions to the plastic waste predicament in Sri Lanka.
