Plastic bag use drops by 50% after free distribution ban

 

---

The use of plastic shopping bags has dropped by 50 percent after the government banned their free distribution, Environment Deputy Minister Anton Jayakodi said.

He made these remarks at a meeting held at the Central Environment Authority (CEA) to discuss steps to create a zero-plastic environment during the Sri Pada pilgrimage season.

The Deputy Minister said more than 100 tonnes of plastic waste are left behind in the Sri Pada area each year.

The Sri Pada pilgrimage season begins in December and continues for about six months.

During this period, large amounts of biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste are discarded by pilgrims and others, causing serious damage to the environment.

The Deputy Minister has also informed that Cabinet approval has been granted to publish the draft National Environment (Amended) Act in the government gazette and later present it to Parliament for approval.

The proposed amendments include several new measures to be introduced from 2025 to reduce the use of polythene and plastic in the Sri Pada area.

Under these plans, the Sri Pada area is expected to be declared a zero-plastic zone. The Deputy Minister praised public awareness programmes that encourage pilgrims to avoid bringing plastic items during their pilgrimage.

Accordingly, the sale and carrying of several plastic items will be completely banned in the area. These include plastic food wrappers, squeeze bags made of high-density polyethylene, sachet packets, single-use food containers made of expanded polystyrene, drinking straws, and single-use plates, cups, spoons, forks and knives, which are already banned under existing laws.

Pilgrims will also be prohibited from carrying single-use plastic water bottles and beverage bottles of less than one litre.

The disposal of food, beverages, medicines or any other items with polythene or plastic packaging will be strictly banned in environmentally sensitive zones. Shop owners operating in these areas will be responsible for collecting and properly disposing of plastic waste generated from the goods they sell.

Steps will also be taken to prevent the pollution of water sources and waterways.

Plastic waste collected during the construction and maintenance of shops must be removed from the highly sensitive Sri Pada zone, with final disposal handled by shop owners through the relevant local authorities.

Officials also discussed imposing fines on pilgrims who bring plastic items into the Sri Pada area during the pilgrimage season.

Meanwhile, the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) announced that the free distribution of shopping bags has been banned from November 1, 2025.

According to an extraordinary gazette issued on October 1, vendors are required to charge customers for shopping bags and clearly display the prices on bills and at their business premises.