A ban on the use of single and short-term use plastics comes into effect tomorrow (01), said the Central Environment Authority.
A gazette notification issued on 19 July 2023 has banned any use of nine plastic products.
They are drinking straws and stirrers; single-use plates, cups, spoons, forks, and knives; plastic garlands; and plastic string hopper trays.
Manufacturing, importation for local use, sale, offering for sale, displaying for sale, offering free of charge or exhibiting them will be prohibited accordingly.
CEA chairman Supun S. Pathirage said legal action will be taken against the violators in terms of the provisions of the National Environmental Act, with raids to be conducted from tomorrow.
In a statement, the Environment Ministry said the ban aims to minimize pollution and other issues impacting the environment, to promote environmentally-friendly local alternative products and to save foreign exchange spent on plastic imports.
