Page 27 - Plastics News September 2020
P. 27
Sri Lanka bans imports of plastic products South Africa issues new plastic bag directives
ri Lanka has decided to ban the import of plastic oves to phase out certain types of plastic bags are
Sproducts in a bid to protect the environment and Munderway in South Africa after Environment
wildlife, a move likely to hit Indian plastic exports to Minister Barbara Creecy gazetted draft amendments to
the country. Environment minister Mahinda the National Environmental Management Act. Among
Amaraweera told Parliament that the proposed plastic the most important changes is the ban on the
product import ban - mainly on toys and household manufacture, trade, and distribution of domestically
utensils - could also be extended to local produced and imported plastic carrier bags and plastic
manufacturing as well. A proposal is also to be flat bags that do not conform to specifications for use in
submitted to ban plastic straws, plastic bottles and South Africa. The Department of Environment,
Forestry, and Fisheries said the emphasis is on “post-
consumer recyclate” material generated by households
and other end users. In terms of the directive, which
was published on 7 August, plastic carrier bags and
plastic flat bags must be made from a minimum of 50%
“post-consumer recyclate” from 1 January 2023.
“Plastic waste has not only become a challenge in
diverting it from going to landfill sites but has grown to
be one of the most problematic waste streams that
continues to harm the environment.” Creecy said the
amendments flowed from the review of all policies
affecting plastic bags in the country, and whether the
plastic plates. The government's decision will have an
impact on Indian plastic exports as Sri Lanka's main
import sources of plastics are India, China and
Thailand. He said plastic waste has a damaging effect
on the island's wildlife. "Plastics are doing untold
damage to our wildlife -- elephants, deer and other
animals, we need to take immediate action to arrest
this situation," Amaraweera said. Director General of
the Central Environmental Authority Hemantha
Jayasinghe told Colombo Gazette that the proposal
plastic sachet packets, plastic straws, plastic bottles
and plastic plates are harmful to the environment. He
said that steps will be taken to phase-out the intended objectives of addressing the plastic bag litter
production and import of such products Plastic waste problem and the promotion of the re-use and recycling
had killed elephants and the deer in large numbers. of plastic carrier bags have been achieved. Anyone
Autopsies have shown plastics deposited in their found to be contravening these new directives shall be
stomachs. Sri Lanka in 2017 banned the manufacture or guilty of an offence and liable, on conviction, to a fine
import of non-biodegradable plastic used for wrapping not exceeding R5 million or imprisonment for a period
food and shopping bags. Sri Lanka has already placed not exceeding 5 years. In the case of a second or
import restrictions on non essential goods -- a move subsequent conviction, liable for a fine not exceeding
resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic's adverse R10 million or imprisonment for a period not exceeding
economic effects. 10 years.
September 2020 27 Plastics News
