PLASTICS

BSL commences “Promoting Long-term Approaches for a Sustainable, Transformative and Inclusive Circular Economy in Sri Lanka” Project

Sri Lanka has steadily increased its import of plastic, with over 500,000 metric tons (MT) of virgin plastic imported to the island annually, straining the national waste management system. It is estimated that 1.59 million tons of plastic waste are mismanaged in Sri Lanka annually, of which approximately 69,000 tons end up in canals, rivers, and eventually the ocean, endangering marine ecosystems, and even leading to landfill collapses.  In Sri Lanka, the problems associated with plastic waste lie equally with the present haphazard disposal practices as with the rate of generation.

In order to address this plastic waste issue, under the leadership of the Agency for Technical Cooperation and Development (ACTED), BSL is part of a consortium implementing a project titled Promoting Long-term Approaches for a Sustainable, Transformative and Inclusive Circular Economy in Sri Lanka (PLASTICS). The other partners in the consortium are Industrial Services Bureau (ISB), STENUM Asia, and The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), India. The project facilitates both plastic waste minimization and management in Sri Lanka by integrating small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in a greener value and supply chain (V/SC), thereby contributing to economic prosperity and environmental sustainability. The 48-month-long action is intended to specifically improve economic development within the plastic V/SC through SME resource efficiency, circular innovation, green finance, and sustainable waste management (SWM) frameworks in the Western Province of the country.

The Western Province will benefit an estimated 5.82 million final indirect beneficiaries covering all household-level consumers. The direct beneficiaries/target groups are 150 SMEs in the plastic V/SC that will benefit from enhanced green business development processes, including (1) brand owners and high plastic users, especially within the food and beverage value chains; (2) plastic producers/importer; (3) informal/formal collectors; (4) recyclers/up-cyclers; with a particular focus on women-led SMEs.

Output Four of the Project for which BSL is responsible will strengthen the traceability, transparency, and compliance to plastic SWM through public-private dialogue, collaboration, and monitoring. BSL will map relevant national/regional/international policies, legal frameworks, regulations, and initiatives related to plastic SWM, and will carry out a desk review of EPR frameworks in the country, region, and beyond. BSL will undertake a consultative process to set up a management framework of the National Clearing House (NCH) for EPR on Plastic Waste so that it can become a self-sustaining resource and reporting center for plastic take-back schemes. Further, the project will help to shape the national EPR dialogue as it will work with global partners in standardizing national EPR frameworks (inclusive of legal frameworks).

To promote EPR standardization, BSL will undertake a national-level communication campaign on EPR. Multiple communication tools including social media will be deployed in rolling out this campaign.  A key target group of the campaign will be SMEs in the plastic sector. BSL will be accountable for communicating EPR at the national level and facilitating EPR policy dialogues.

The Day of the Leopard

Picture credits: Chandika Jayaratne

The Sri Lankan Leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya) is a subspecies unique to the country, the apex predator on the island. As an indicator, umbrella and keystone species, the Leopard helps fulfill critical ecological roles in the ecosystem. The Leopard attracts visitors to our national parks and thus is an important revenue generator. The Leopard is listed in the threatened category in the National Red List (2012) due to the ongoing challenges the animal faces because of conflict with humans and loss of suitable habitat.

In 2021, the 1^st of August of each year was declared as Sri Lanka Leopard Day by the Department of Wildlife Conservation, in collaboration with the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society (WNPS), as it helps celebrate this iconic animal whilst continuing to help raise awareness on the continuing threats faced by the species. 

Picture credits: Chandika Jayaratne

The leopard, Sri Lanka’s apex carnivore, plays extremely important roles in both the ecology of the island and the long-term conservation of Sri Lanka’s biodiversity. “Sitting at the top of the food chain, there is a strong possibility that the leopard is a “keystone” species in Sri Lanka – meaning that its presence within ecosystems here is far more valuable to the effective functioning of those systems than its relatively modest population numbers would suggest. Remove it from those systems and they may teeter and crash, or at least become less productive,” said Dr. Andrew Kittle and Anjali Watson, Founding Trustees at the Wilderness and Wildlife Conservation Trust (WWCT).

Picture credits: Chandika Jayaratne

They further said that its role in the conservation of biodiversity stems from being both a “flagship” and “umbrella” species. “As a breathtakingly beautiful, charismatic large carnivore, the leopard is widely admired and can act as a “flagship” which can rally conservation efforts – and garner often elusive conservation support – which can benefit not just the leopard but a wider array of species. Due to the fact that leopards are extremely adaptable, living in all habitat types in Sri Lanka, and are also wide-ranging and territorial (a factor that ensures even more space is required for a viable population), they are very useful “umbrella” species. This means that ensuring the long-term protection of a robust leopard population in Sri Lanka ensures, by default, the conservation of a host of smaller and more spatially restricted species that fall under its ‘ecological umbrella’.

“WWCT utilizes these aspects to focus on landscape-level conservation of the leopard and wider biodiversity, by identifying leopard refugia and movement corridors which link larger forested and/or protected areas in the Central Highlands as well as in other parts of the leopard’s island-wide range. Once identified, these vital links become the focus of collaborative conservation efforts to ensure their continued use.

“Sri Lanka benefits from the presence of the leopard on its forest trails and mountain slopes – ecologically through its role in the system, economically through the revenue that it garners as a star attraction in National Parks, and aesthetically, marked by the quickening of the pulse and sharp intake of breath that so often characterizes a glimpse of this graceful, elusive predator,” they added.

Life to Our Mangroves – latest developments

More about our flagship project being undertaken jointly with the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC), the Wayamba University of Sri Lanka, and selected private sector partners in the Anawilundawa Ramsar wetland sanctuary…

The selected patches have been severely degraded due to intensive shrimp farming projects that took place over a decade ago. The intention is to restore these mangrove patches using established scientific principles, to enhance ecological functions, habitat quality, species diversity, and capacity to provide biodiversity and ecosystem services that are in close approximation to what prevailed before it was converted to the present state.

Hydrology in mangrove restoration is often overlooked

Hydrology is often overlooked in mangrove restoration projects, making it an important reason for failure. One of the reasons that hydrology is often not taken into account is that it is not easy to quantify. To overcome the hydrological challenges of the site, the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) made a request to Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) to undertake a comprehensive hydrological study for each plot. At the end of the study SLN developed contour maps for all plots, providing an analysis of the leveling in comparison with the Mean Sea Level. The contour map is helping to develop plans for irrigating the site, either by lagoon waters or waters from the Dutch Canal. Also, it will help in determining the types of species that could be planted in the different plots and understanding the hydrological patterns controlling the seedling establishment and successful growth of mangrove species.

Based on the SLN study engineers from the Department of Wildlife Conservation have mapped out points and designs to build culverts to obtain water for the plots from the Dutch Canal.

Project Field Coordinator – Dushan Samarasinghe

Maintaining genetic adaptation on-site

Proven studies provide information on the stage mangrove fruits become ready for harvesting. Community knowledge and experience are also taken into consideration in seed collection. The fruits or seeds will be

collected from the periphery of the area around the Dutch canal and sanctuary area with the help of community members, villagers, and fishermen. This is considered important, in terms of maintaining genetic adaptations on-site. Nurseries will be established by the propagation of collected fruits and seeds, and will be based on the lessons learned from the on-going pilot study;

The following species will be planted directly at the site:

• Rhizophora mucronata
• Rhizophora apiculata
• Bruguiera gymnorrhiza
• Bruguiera cylindrica
• Avicennia marina
• Avicennia officinalis
• Aegiceras corniculatum

The following species will be planted in nurseries:

• Xylocarpus granatum
• Lumnitzera racemosa
• Scyphiphora hydrophyllacea
• Nypa fruticans
• Heritiera littoralis

Since BSL’s plot 7 is located at the edge of the Dutch canal it is proposed to plant Rhizophora, Bruguiera, and Xylocorpus as the most preferred species. These species require adequate water availability to survive and grow. The landward plots will be restored with mixed species.

In addition to these, the Project is currently carrying out biodiversity surveys and soil analyses to establish baseline information for the Project.

With the CBD COP 15 approaching, Biodiversity Sri Lanka examines what nature-positive means for business?

In December 2022 the world has a unique chance to renew its relationship with nature by adopting a new and ambitious post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) during the 15th conference of the parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity.

Nature underpins prosperity and well-being through the services provided to society and the economy. People rely on nature for services without which their lives would not be possible, such as clean air and water, fertile soil for food, and pest and disease regulation. The interactions between the different elements of nature provide “services” or contributions to society and the economy worth USD $43 trillion. More than half the world’s GDP depends heavily on the functioning of these natural ecosystems. What does nature-positive mean for business?

These “building blocks” guide businesses to act now to halt and reverse nature loss, and credibly contribute to a nature-positive world, with positive impacts outweighing negative impacts on nature from 2030 onwards.

FOR SUPPORT IN THE APPLICATION OF THESE ”BUILDING BLOCKS” – PLEASE CONTACT US

1. Assess and Prioritize

Assess realms of nature (biodiversity, freshwater, land, oceans) potentially relevant to operations and the value chain, and prioritize impacts, dependencies and opportunities for regeneration.

Businesses should consider both the living (i.e., biodiversity) and non-living elements that are potentially relevant within all realms of nature (land, freshwater and oceans). Then prioritize them based on an assessment of the material impacts and dependencies on biodiversity and ecosystem services within their direct operations and value chains, and the related risks and opportunities for business, people and the natural world.

2. Commit

Set a baseline and commit to ambitious, time-bound, science-informed goals and targets to both halt and reverse the loss of nature.

Building on existing commitments and actions related to nature, businesses should aim to both:

• Halt – Minimize their contributions to negative outcomes for nature and reduce pressure on nature;
• Reverse – Maximize their contributions to positive outcomes in terms of health, abundance, diversity and resilience of species, populations and ecosystems

3. Measure & Value

Use validated, interrelated indicators to measure nature outcomes that inform decision-making.

Businesses typically start by measuring and reporting on their business response or actions and resulting change in applicable pressures on nature: land or sea-use change, direct exploitation, climate change, pollution, and invasive species. Businesses can use a framework of indicators to gain a holistic picture of progress on nature goals and targets in order to inform decision-making within and outside businesses

4. Act

Businesses should embed nature considerations and aim for nature-positive outcomes across all their spheres of control and influence, prioritizing where there is greatest impact and leverage

Systematically apply the mitigation hierarchy within and beyond corporate operations to reduce pressures and have positive contributions across your value chain.

Halt: Businesses should give priority to avoiding and reducing pressures on nature across all scales of action, particularly for critical ecosystems

Reverse: Businesses should also put in place complementary actions to protect, restore and regenerate nature, including in their wider spheres of influence, including site-based practices as well as product and business-model design.

5. Transform

Collaborate to achieve nature-positive outcomes across all spheres of control and influence, including policy, financing and capacity building.

While the potential negative and positive impacts and opportunities will vary across value chains, net-positive is the aspirational direction for all businesses. To help scale up actions and contribute to true systems transformation, businesses should aim to catalyze lasting change and proactively collaborate with key stakeholders at all system levels

6. Disclose & Report

Prepare to disclose material nature-related information

Following in the footsteps of climate, businesses should be aware of the growing momentum for nature-related disclosures to help shift finance away from nature-negative outcomes and toward nature-positive outcomes. Business responses to manage those risks and opportunities, including relevant governance structures, strategies, and targets, that will inform investment decisions in the financial system and real economy Thus, disclosure and reporting support the implementation of the other building blocks.

Celebrating The Magnificent and Gentle Giant of The Animal Kingdom

Picture credits: Cinnamon Nature Trails

“All’s not well with the Sri Lankan elephant with more than 350 dying each year (on average) due to the Human Elephant Conflict (HEC). Many scientists who study Sri Lankan wild elephants are of the view that maybe the tipping point has already been reached, where viable, stable populations are not prevalent in Sri Lanka anymore. It is imperative therefore that all stakeholders urgently get-together and implement a holistic, overarching conservation plan (details of which have been talked about for so long) to save this wonderful animal that has brought so much fame and glory to Sri Lanka”. Srilal Miththapala

On August 12, we commemorated World Elephant Day to raise awareness of the possible threats to Elephants and to focus on acknowledging the significance of the Elephant in the ecosystem.

The two baby elephants are under the protection of the herd. Image courtesy of Chitral Jayatilake

The Sri Lankan subspecies Elephas maximus Maximus is said to be the biggest and darkest of the Asian elephants. These elephants were once spread out throughout our island, but construction operations have cleared forests and disrupted their long-distance migration patterns, forcing them into smaller more restricted locations.

In Sri Lanka, a herd can have up to 20 individuals. The matriarch, or eldest female, is in charge. According to reports, herds in Sri Lanka include nursing units, which are made up of lactating females and their young, and juvenile care units, which are made up of females and young elephants. Since the start of the 19th century, the number of elephants in Sri Lanka has decreased by over 65%. Currently, killing an elephant is punishable by death under Sri Lankan law, which protects the species.

Image by Rajiv Welikala.

Elephants in Sri Lanka are endangered species. They may weigh up to 5400 kg and stand an average height of roughly 11 feet. An adult elephant would often consume 300–400 pounds of food every day and drink 25–50 gallons of water. In general, a Sri Lankan elephant lives 55 to 70 years, which is comparable to the lifespan of an African elephant.

The main issue facing Asian Elephant conservation, particularly in Sri Lanka, is the Human Elephant Conflict. Asia will inevitably release more and more space for human settlements and novel development projects due to its extraordinarily high population density and quick rate of population expansion. As a result, elephants are losing land and habitats that can feed them and support their way of life. Because of this, more than two-thirds of Sri Lanka’s elephants reside outside of protected areas. This opens the door for significant conflict between the two species. Several strategies, including elephant translocation, elephant drives, and electric fences, have been used to reduce it. Education and learning to live in harmony with nature are the only and best ways to address issues associated with Human Elephant Conflict. Future research should focus on Modern and Co-Existence Solutions for the conflict.

In Conversation

In our “In Conservation” segment this month, we chatted with Mr. Rishard Preena, Head of Sustainability Operations, Aitken Spence Hotels. Rishard is BSL’s focal point for Patron Member Aitken Spence Hotels.

BSL: Can you give us a brief introduction to your company & yourself 

A:    Aitken Spence Hotels operates a chain of 20 hotels and resorts in Sri Lanka, India, Oman, and the Maldives under three brands: Heritance Hotels and Resorts, Adaaran Resorts, and Turyaa. The portfolio includes 10 properties in Sri Lanka, five in Maldives, four in Oman, and one in India. Each of our unique properties caters to a diverse client base, having hotels suited to every need and budget while maintaining the high standards of hospitality that we are synonymous with.

Located in key tourist locations, the Aitken Spence chain boasts of exotic properties such as the award-winning eco-resort Heritance Kandalama which is situated in close proximity to two UNESCO world heritage sites, and the Desert Nights Camp in Oman, rated as one of the top ten desert retreats in the world. Our distinctive collection of hotels and our reputation for excellence make us a leader in the global hospitality industry.

As Head of Sustainability operations of Aitken Spence Hotels and being an engineer by training and qualification, I work on sustainability, renewable energy, process improvement, CSR, and project management.

BSL: What drives your sustainability agenda and what are the key focus areas?

A: Aitken Spence Hotels is a pioneer in the corporate sustainability movement in Sri Lanka. For us, sustainability is the fundamental practice of ensuring our operations can be sustained in the long term. As a member of a blue-chip conglomerate Aitken Spence PLC, our strategy entails operational priorities of all our subsidiaries under one policy framework to guide them on required action.

Accordingly, we have stipulated action points as ‘must do’ (essential action), ‘should do’ (where specific subsidiaries are expected to take action beyond the basics, based on the nature and scale of the impacts), and ‘could do’ (exemplary action to create differentiation for our businesses through sustainability). As a result of this strategy, we have several environmental management systems and a pool of more than 30 employees trained as internal auditors, Environmental Management Representatives, first-aid officers and fire wardens. Our company maintains over 20 diverse management systems certified under international benchmarks for environmental, quality, product responsibility and social sustainability.

Where else in the world can you stay in a converted tea factory, pluck your own tea and take it home with you as a souvenir? At 2km above sea level, the views over our lush green organic plantations as the sun mingles with the mist are truly unforgettable. Enjoy them as you tuck into high tea on the terrace or a delicious tea-themed menu in the restaurant. Welcome to Heritance Tea Factory, where the kettle is always on.

BSL: Give us an outline of your current sustainability initiatives/ Projects

A: At Aitken Spence Hotels, our efforts are ongoing. For example, we focus on reducing, recycling and reusing solid waste through our 7R initiative with the end goal of zero waste in landfill. We have successfully eliminated several single-use plastic waste streams over the last few years, and our objective is to keep improving.

Other examples include reducing the use of harmful chemicals, focusing on stringent standards on quality, environmental and health impacts and quantities used.

Conserving energy and water; Energy efficiency and use of renewable and alternate energies, such as Solar PV, replacing heavy fuel oils and diesel with Grilicidia / Cinnamon wood in biomass gasifiers and innovative technologies.

Improving our local employment (over 40% of associates are from immediate neighborhoods and villages in which we operate) and increasing opportunities offered to our female associates to enter management through training and skills development.

We also conduct localized programs for clean beaches, increasing green cover through tree planting and stewardship programs and coral growing and reef regeneration initiatives.

BSL: What do you consider are your company’s key achievements in sustainability domain and the reasons behind success?

• Heritance Kandalama – the first LEED certified hotel in the world and the first LEED building outside of the United States
• Heritance Aarah – the first LEED certified property in the Maldives
• The Heritance Hotels and Resorts and Adaaran Resorts chain of properties are certified Travelife Gold
• One of the first corporates to be signatories to the UNWTO Global Code of Ethics for tourism.
• Numerous awards and accolades for Sustainability and Green initiatives

With numerous international awards for high quality cuisine, service excellence, building conservation and environmental care being awarded, our hotels have been recognized as being among the top hotels in Sri Lanka. With over three decades in the hotels industry, our expertise in hotel design, building and management is complemented by our dedication and commitment to excellence in everything we offer. We are proud to be one of the most awarded hotels in Sri Lanka.

 BSL: What are the challenges you fore-see in driving the Company’s sustainability agenda forward in the current, extremely volatile business context?

A: Shifting business practices to be more environmentally – friendly and sustainable can be expensive, at least in up-front costs, which makes businesses averse to making changes. It is relatively easy to calculate the savings from moving to renewable energy, but not all sustainability solutions are as straightforward. Changing an entire business supply chain to use more sustainable raw materials, is likely to require a costly initial investment even if it would pay off with time.

Holistically, however, we believe it is our sustainable business model that helped us manage our business during uncertain and unprecedented times in recent years. Therefore, it is key to understand and appreciate that while investment is required to maintain a company’s sustainability stance, the pay-off is in the long run and the stability it creates as a result of best practices in place.

BSL:  Any interesting future plans?

A: Our future plans focus on resilience and adaptation, as all businesses must evolve. Whilst plans are many, we as a company believe in action before words. Therefore, we request you to follow us on our journey and be inspired by our passion and commitment.

BSL: Any message/s/ recommendation/s to BSL Members who aspire to be leaders in Corporate Sustainability?

• Move from being change-ready to change-driven
• Become conscious of your own values and purpose
• Empower and uplift each other – as corporates and individuals
• A strong sustainability culture requires transparency and honesty
• Be open to criticism as an opportunity for improvement

“Life to Our Mangroves” – A Partners led Effort

LIFE to Our Mangroves is one of BSL’s landmark multi-partner public-private partnership projects aiming to assist in restoring degraded mangrove patches located in the Anawilundawa Ramsar Wetland Sanctuary.  The Anawilundawa Wetland Sanctuary spans over 1,397 hectares and is an amalgamation of forest wetlands like mangrove and freshwater swamps, coastal saltwater ecosystems, and freshwater lakes. It is one of Sri Lanka’s six designated Ramsar Sites.

The selected patches have become degraded due to intensive shrimp farming projects that took place over three decades ago. Led by the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) and the Wayamba University (WUSL), the restoration activities are to be conducted using scientific principles, to enhance ecological functions, habitat quality, species diversity, and capacity to provide biodiversity and ecosystem services that are in close approximation to what prevailed before it was converted to the present state. Further, the project is expected to give a boost to the local economy by providing employment opportunities to adjacent communities as well as by local project purchases. In parallel to the restoration of this degraded wetland, BSL is in discussion with the DWC and the Sri Lanka Climate Fund is in the process of planning to assess and issue Carbon Credits to the partners.

BSL together with some of the project partners conducted a field visit to the site on 5^th July 2022. The purpose of the visit was to hold discussions with the DWC personnel on-site, assess the field situation, and obtain practical insights on the status and planned activities. During this visit, the DWC Park Warden provided a detailed account of the site and its ongoing pilot mangrove restoration activities. He mentioned that for the current restoration effort a new mangrove restoration technique will be used which is based on the hydrological studies undertaken recently by the Sri Lanka Navy. The new plan for commencing restoration activities was presented to all stakeholders on 27^th July 2022, by the DWC and the Wayamba University, co-coinciding with the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem. Phase 1 will commence with the plots closest to the Dutch Canal.

Project partners interacted with DWC officials by asking questions pertaining to the site, thus actively engaging in planned restoration activities. After this interactive session, the partners observed the land plots allocated to BSL for restoration activities. During the post-lunch question and answer session, DWC officials explained that the hydrological plans, prepared by the Sri Lankan Navy, will be a key element in the overall restoration approach. There will be a separate hydrological plan for each land plot. They further clarified that land plots closer to the Dutch Canal will be re-planted with true mangrove species and the plots which are located more landwards from the Dutch Canal will also carry mangrove associates and other terrestrial plant species. At the conclusion of the field visit, partners symbolically planted mangrove saplings/ propagules at the site.

Currently, BSL members Citizens Development Business Finance PLC, Dilmah Ceylon Tea Company PLC, Dole Lanka (Pvt.) Ltd., Dynawash Ltd., Eswaran Brothers Exports (Pvt.) Ltd., National Development Bank PLC, and Sampath Bank PLC are partnering with BSL in this restoration effort. More information on how you can engage in this Project can be had from:  [email protected]

Patron Member Virtusa in support of Nationally Significant Sustainability Efforts

BSL’s Patron Member Virtusa stepped up in 2021, to design, establish and operationalize “Life Commitment” – BSL’s Online Reporting System for documenting private sector contributions on present and planned initiatives in biodiversity/environmental conservation. This effort is intended to provide much-needed information to the Government of Sri Lanka for successfully meeting the country’s national and international environmental commitments.

Denver Denver De Zylva – Vice President, Virtusa (Pvt.) Ltd.

This comprehensive data gathering repository currently online, has multiple uses – one of which is that the Government of Sri Lanka will be able to easily identify private sector contributions towards its multiple national and international commitments, including the National Biodiversity Strategic Action Plan (NBSAP), the Aichi Biodiversity Targets, the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) for Climate Change Impacts in Sri Lanka, the UN SDGs and the country’s commitments towards the Bonn Challenge.  The survey also documents hitherto un-available financial investments made towards these initiatives over a determined period.

In the first phase, a comprehensive database of projects carried out by BSL’s members was established. Upon completion of this initial phase, Virtusa made the survey software foolproof by addressing technological issues that appeared during the initial deployment.  Further, the survey platform was upgraded with visually appealing graphics to attract the wider private sector to submit their project information with the inclusion of online analytical tools for reporting.

Following closely on the heels of this successful initiative in 2022, Virtusa extended further technical support to the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and Biodiversity Sri Lanka to design, establish and operationalize an online Plastic Waste Reporting System, the objective of which is to enable up to date reporting of plastic waste collection by corporates dealing with PET and HIPS and monitoring the fulfillment of their EPR commitments in terms of achieving national collect back targets. The reporting system will help regulatory authorities to assess the progress of the plastic waste collection of corporates dealing with plastic packaging at any given time. This reporting system is currently online and in use.

The support extended by Virtusa to these nationally significant efforts is a step in the right direction in the country’s sustainability journey.

Waste Collectors & Recyclers in the Kalutara District Trained

With the aim of facilitating the implementation of the recently launched Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)Model for Plastic Waste Management in the country, the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) and Biodiversity Sri Lanka (BSL) in partnership with the Western Province Waste Management Authority (WPWMA) undertook a training program for waste collectors and recyclers in the Kalutara District on June 23, 2022, at Hotel Panaroma. This program was conducted under the capacity-building component of the USAID-supported project to implement an EPR system for plastic waste management in Sri Lanka. Thirty-three (33) collectors and recyclers participated in the program despite prevailing transport issues, which is a significant indication of the level of interest amongst collectors and recyclers.

Mr. Nalin Mannapperuma, Director/ CEO of the WPWMA conducted an introductory session on Solid Waste Management.  A practical session on the identification of recyclable materials and various plastic types was conducted by Mr. R. M. N. Silva, Deputy Director (Technical) of the WPWMAy. The practical session was very interactive as collectors and recyclers were asked to identify various plastic types from a set of plastic articles in a box and to explain the processing method applied for each type.  Mr. B. D. Taranga, Industrial Development officer, Industrial Development Authority, Western Province presented the financial facilities available for collectors and recyclers.  He mentioned that if the country was not facing transport and other serious economic issues at the moment, they would have conducted a session with the participation of representatives from leading banks to register collectors/ recyclers for loan facilities.

A SWOT analysis was conducted to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats in the plastic waste collection sector through group work. Four (4) panelists including representatives from Project Teams, WMA, and Eco-Spindles provided expert inputs for the analysis. They also discussed potential ways of addressing some of the pressing issues, such as obtaining business registrations, and the poor recognition accorded to collectors.

The session titled “How to become an entrepreneur” was conducted by Mr. Priyankara Dissanayaka, Manager Sourcing, Eco-Spindles. In his presentation, he briefly touched on theoretical aspects of entrepreneurship and also provided examples of successful entrepreneurs with references to their traits and the challenges faced during their journeys. A session on leadership was conducted by Mr. Nimal Premathilake, who provided practical insights on leader mindsets which are essential for achieving challenging milestones.

As a follow-up action, the participants were requested to register with the WPWMA. In this regard, relevant application forms were distributed during the program. Overall, the participants expressed that they gained new knowledge and mentioned that they are looking forward to engaging more closely with WPWMA for matters pertaining to their operations. Mr. Roshan Salinda who attended the program representing the Project and BSL pointed out that it is important to prioritize some of the most critical issues faced by waste collectors/ recyclers and subsequently work towards addressing each of them collectively with a timeline for the benefit of the country. In conclusion, the WPWMA, stated that as the principal organization responsible for managing solid waste management affairs in the Western Province, will remain committed to resolve issues faced by collectors/ recyclers to uplift the waste collection/ recycling industry in the province.

‘Life to Our Beaches’ partners with Samurdhi in Beach-caretaker training

Sri Lanka’s beaches are well-known worldwide for their elegance. The entire island is surrounded by beautiful coastal stretches of around 1,710 kilometers. Nevertheless, based on the anticipated volume of improperly handled garbage, Sri Lanka has been included among the top disposers of marine litter globally. (Meijer et al. 2021).   Any persistent, manufactured, or processed solid material that is discarded, disposed of, or abandoned in the marine and coastal environment is referred to as marine litter. When plastic waste is not properly disposed of, it can enter the marine food chain, endangering the health and safety of coastal and marine species. Therefore, it is essential to take action to maintain our beaches safe, clean, and free of any risks so that visitors could relax and enjoy the beach stretches around the country.

The solid debris that washes up on our coasts frequently originates from both domestic and international sources. Rubber, plastic, glass, and aluminum-based materials are often collected from our beaches. These can be used wisely to create valuable resources through upcycling and recycling. To preserve a safer and more sustainable coastal environment for the benefit of all, immediate actions must be taken to ensure that our beaches are regularly inspected, cleaned, and managed responsibly. In this regard, in collaboration with the Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA), the Department of Samurdhi Development (DoSD), and member companies, BSL launched the programme called “Life to Our Beaches”. This programme has been designed as a Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), through which local communities also reap financial benefits by involving themselves in beach cleaning activities. They also derive an additional income by selling the recyclable waste collected.

With the participation of Patron Member DIMO, BSL operationalized a programme for the Dikovita beach stretch in Wattala. As the first step, BSL conducted technical training for the beach caretakers on collecting and identifying various types of plastics and other marine litter in the identified Dicovita stretch. The main objective of the training was to equip the beach caretakers with the necessary knowledge to identify the common types of plastic waste materials using an identification number. The 7 different kinds of plastics namely PET, HDPE, PVC, LDPE, PP, PS, and other plastic types were listed in order from 1 to 7. The packaging items and plastic bottles were utilized to demonstrate the common use of those plastic types.

The value of working as beach caretakers was recognized in the training program. It is a crucial service that helps in protecting the country’s stunning beaches. They were also made aware of the value of the trash they were collecting from the beaches and how they might sell it to supplement their family’s income. During the session, it was emphasized the need of taking health and safety measures when picking up rubbish on beaches. They were advised to keep records of the monthly collection in terms of the type of waste materials for monitoring purposes.

The project will continuously monitor the progress of beach cleaning activities and support the recyclable waste collected towards composting, recycling, and safe disposal. The Beach Caretaker Program is a breakthrough local conservation effort that inspires communities to act to protect their environment from coastal pollution whilst leading to socioeconomic gains. The Beach caretaker program is a powerful illustration of how community-led conservation programs can create a significant positive impact and alter the bleak future of the planet. They also serve as a reminder that every action, no matter how small, can have a rippling effect.