Colombo, Aug 22 (newsin.asia) – Sri Lanka’s Central Environmental Authority, on Tuesday warned that anyone found guilty of using polythene and styrofoam products after Sept 1 will face a two year imprisonment and a fine of Rs.10,000 (US 65 dollars).
The Central Environmental Authority (CEA) last month announced that it will ban plastic and polythene shopping bags and styrofoam boxes from Sept 1.
Accordingly, the use and production of polythene less than 20 microns will be banned across the country.
Polythene and Styrofoam is widely used by local shops to wrap lunch while polythene shopping bags is widely used in supermarkets and shops.
The CEA added that burning of plastic bags in open areas will also be prohibited once the ban takes effect.
Shopping bags will be replaced with reusable cloth bags under the new law which was introduced in an effort to reduce environmental damage brought about by the use of non-biodegradable plastic polythene items.
The move to ban polythene however has received criticism from polythene manufacturers in the country who have urged the President to re-consider imposing the ban as over 300,000 people were at risk of losing their jobs once the ban takes effect next month.
