Cabinet Approved Banning of Polythene

To reduce environmental damage brought about by the use of non biodegradable plastic and polythene items, a  cabinet paper proposing the ban of polythene of 20 microns or less, Styrofoam, lunch sheets and shopping bags was submitted by the Central Environment Authority (CEA) and President and Environment Minister Maithripala Sirisena. The cabinet has approved  it today (12).

Accordingly, the CEA stated that the use, production, import and sale of 20 microns or less, Styrofoam, lunch sheets would be banned under the new regulation with immediate effect.

The CEA added that even burning of plastic and polythene in open areas was also prohibited, effective from  today.

Shopping bags will be replaced with reusable cloth bags under the new law.