Introduction Plastic pollution continues to pose a serious threat to environmental sustainability and public health. Among the most problematic pollutants are single-use plastics (SUPs), which include disposable items, such as bags, packaging, straws, and bottles intended for one-time use. In 2021, SUPs contributed an estimated 139 million metric tonnes to global plastic waste. Over the past decade, Sri Lanka has made progress in limiting SUPs through legislative bans, recognizing their impact on ecosystems, human health, and key economic sectors such as tourism and fisheries. Despite these efforts, SUPs still account for approximately 70 percent of the country’s plastic waste. The challenge lies not in the absence of regulation but in the lack of effective implementation and enforcement. To meaningfully address plastic pollution, Sri Lanka must move beyond bans and establish a comprehensive policy framework that covers the entire lifecycle of plastic products. How Plastic Pollution Harms Communities, Ecosystems, and the Economy Plastic waste in Sri Lanka has reached critical levels. The country generates over 1.6 million metric tonnes of plastic waste annually, with approximately 70 percent attributed to single-use plastics. A recent study found that Sri Lanka disposes of 20 million yoghurt cups, 15 million lunch sheets, 20 million supermarket bags, and one million sachet packets of sauce, jam, and shampoo each month. An estimated 171,561 tonnes or around 69 percent of the country’s annual plastic waste, remains unmanaged. This includes uncollected waste that is often buried or burned, as well as plastic that escapes into the environment during waste handling. Tourist destinations such as Unawatuna and Mirissa frequently suffer from plastic litter, including polythene bags, straws, and food wrappers. This pollution undermines Sri Lanka’s image as a tropical destination and threatens the tourism sector, which contributed 7.8 percent to national GDP in 2023. SUP-related pollution also affects marine ecosystems and can lead to tourist dissatisfaction, reduced visitor numbers, job losses, and lower foreign exchange earnings. Coastal zones are increasingly affected by plastic debris, which endangers marine life through ingestion and entanglement. Biodiversity hotspots such as Bar Reef in Kalpitiya and Pigeon Island near Trincomalee face ongoing threats from floating plastics. These pollutants damage coral reefs, which serve as vital fish breeding grounds. Microplastics have also been detected in locally consumed marine fish species, raising concerns about food safety and public health. In urban areas like Colombo, clogged stormwater drains contribute to flash floods, damaging infrastructure and displacing low-income communities. Stagnant water from blocked drains creates breeding grounds for mosquitoes, exacerbating the spread of diseases such as dengue, which recorded over 24,000 cases between January and May 2024. What Sri Lanka Has Done to Curb Single-Use Plastics Sri Lanka has implemented several initiatives to improve waste management, with a particular focus on single-use plastics. Key regulatory actions include bans enforced by the Central Environmental Authority (CEA), beginning with polythene less than 20 microns in January 2007. In 2017, the government expanded these bans to include thin polythene bags. By 2021, the list grew to cover sachets, inflatable toys, and cotton buds with plastic stems. In October 2023, nine additional SUPs, including plastic straws, stirrers, cups, plates, and string hopper trays, were prohibited from manufacture, import, sale, and use. The Ministry of Environment (MoE) established a Committee on Plastics and Polythene Waste Management to guide policy development. In parallel, a pilot Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme is underway in sectors such as food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. Infrastructure projects, including the Kerawalapitiya Waste-to-Energy Plant and the Aruwakkalu Sanitary Landfill Site, support long-term waste disposal needs in the Western Province. These policies, led by the CEA and MoE with support from civil society, reflect a proactive environmental stance. However, implementation challenges persist. Weak enforcement, poor inter-agency coordination, a limited domestic recycling market, and insufficient alternatives to banned plastics continue to hinder progress. Why Single-Use Plastics Still Persist Despite Restrictions Despite regulatory progress, single-use plastics remain prevalent in Sri Lankan markets. A 2023 study conducted in Anuradhapura found that more than half of retailers continued to offer banned plastic items. This persistence is largely due to poor-quality alternatives, sustained consumer demand, and weak enforcement mechanisms. Raids conducted by the Central Environmental Authority highlight the widespread nature of illegal plastic production and the challenges in curbing it. Consumer awareness also remains limited. Many individuals are unaware of the bans or find biodegradable substitutes too costly or inconvenient. Furthermore, banned plastic items continue to enter the market through informal and poorly regulated import channels, making them readily available in urban centers and local shops. Building a Circular Economy for Plastics Sri Lanka is advancing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) initiatives to hold manufacturers and importers accountable for the full lifecycle of plastic products. These efforts aim to improve packaging design and establish take-back systems. The Central Environmental Authority has announced plans to introduce legislation requiring companies that use plastic packaging and bottles to collect them after use, supporting the development of a closed-loop plastic waste management system. The Sri Lanka Institute of Packaging (SLIP) is promoting sustainable practices in the packaging industry through innovation and environmentally responsible policies. These efforts are supported by government-backed tax incentives and subsidies, particularly for hotels adopting eco-friendly practices. In collaboration with Clean Sri Lanka, SLIP conducts targeted awareness programs focused on sustainable packaging. These initiatives align with national environmental goals and help bridge the gap between policy and implementation, strengthening environmental stewardship and supporting Sri Lanka’s transition to a circular economy. Nationwide awareness campaigns are essential to shift public attitudes and behaviors around plastic use. The Environmental Education and Awareness Unit plays a key role in engaging schools and communities to promote responsible consumption. The National Environmental Act, under Section 31, outlines penalties for violations of waste management provisions, reinforcing the government’s commitment to proper waste handling and serving as a deterrent to non-compliance. However, local authorities often face challenges in fulfilling their waste management responsibilities due to limited resources and institutional capacity. The National Plastic Waste Inventory is a critical tool for informed decision-making. It enables national and local governments to monitor trends, assess policy effectiveness, and track progress in implementing action plans. The National Action Plan on Plastic Waste Management (2021–2030) provides a strategic framework to address plastic waste, build stakeholder consensus, and foster ownership of the action plan. Transitioning to a circular economy for plastics offers a sustainable path forward. This approach calls for rethinking how plastics are designed, manufactured, consumed, and reused. Achieving this transition requires collaboration across the plastic value chain, including government, industry, consumers, and innovators, while ensuring social equity and leaving no one behind. Ask the Experts Sulochana Silva Research Officer, Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka Sulochana is a dedicated researcher specializing in environmental policy, natural resources, and climate change. She holds a BSc Honours degree in Agricultural Technology and Management from the University of Peradeniya and is currently pursuing an MSc in Agricultural Economics at the Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya. Her research experience includes contributions to a range of collaborative projects with esteemed organizations such as IDRC, ICIMOD, RESET, and IPE (Global and Vital Strategies). Nishamini Ihalagedara Research Officer, Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka Nishamini’s research interests span environmental and natural resource policies, sustainable energy, food security, and agricultural institutions. She holds a BSc (Hons) in Agricultural Technology and Management, with a specialization in Applied Economics and Business Management, from the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya. Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka The Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka is an autonomous economic research organization, established by an Act of Parliament, in Colombo. Its mission is to conduct high-quality, independent, policy-relevant research to provide robust evidence for policymaking and improve the lives of all Sri Lankans. Leave your question or comment in the section below: View the discussion thread.