There are a number of plastic waste recyclers/processors successfully operating commercial operations converting plastic waste into marketable products. Existing processors have a substantial capacity to recycle plastic waste released into the market/environment and are willing and planning to expand their processing capacity. Though lack of accurate and reliable data on plastic use, volumes of plastic products in circulation, and the quantity of plastic waste collected in Sri Lanka are serious issues, it is estimated that around 20% of PET and 3% of HIPS are being collected at present. As per senior officials at the Central Environmental Authority, both formal and informal private sector actors in the plastic waste sector do not report on the quantities of their plastic waste collection and recycling at the moment. As the plastic recyclers are operating below capacity, increasing the collection of post-consumer plastic waste, and channeling them to reliable recycling operations are considered most crucial.
A framework for plastic waste collection has been developed through the project “Enhancing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) through a Public-Private Partnership Approach” which is being implemented by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) with the technical assistance of Biodiversity Sri Lanka (BSL). The purpose of the project, which has received the official endorsement of the Ministry of Environment (MoE), is to implement an EPR system for plastic waste on a voluntary basis which was developed using a consultative process by CCC and BSL, through USAID’s Municipal Waste Recycling Program (MWRP).
The overall objective of developing the Plastic Waste Collection Framework is to increase the collection and recycling of post-consumer plastic packaging in Sri Lanka, using a partnership approach. It also aims to examine the currently existing collection mechanisms and propose a common collection framework to streamline and strengthen plastic waste collection in the country, making recommendations to ensure successful execution.
Existing Plastic Waste Collection Options
The placement of waste collection bins is a common practice to facilitate and encourage responsible disposal of used plastics by consumers. A number of organizations particularly corporates such as Coca-Cola, John Keells (Plasticcycle), and Eco Friends have already placed waste collection bins in schools, supermarkets, hotels, temples, commercial establishments, expressways and many private sector companies have planned to support waste collection through this mechanism. The application of innovative mobile apps by Local Government Authorities (LGAs) to streamline waste collection is a recent breakthrough in Sri Lanka, since thus far, LGAs have relied only on traditional methods for waste collection. These Apps contain useful features including viewing the locations of garbage trucks, types of waste accepted and enables direct communications between officials and residents as well as allows posting of complaints.
There are a substantial number of more organized waste collectors, who have been registered with the Central Environment Authority (CEA) and/or the Western Province Waste Management Authority. (WP-WMA). Though, there is no huge variation in the scale of operation between the informal waste collectors and the registered waste collectors, the registered collectors can be considered as more organized as they are linked with regulatory authorities, thus having more access to information, guidance, and advice on proper waste collection practices.
Innovation in Plastic Waste Collection
Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs) is a somewhat novel concept for Sri Lanka. The establishment of MRFs is aimed at collecting all types of waste at a central location, making waste collection more efficient and effective, allowing for increase of economies of scale as well as the ability to use new technologies for more efficient waste collection operations. The establishment and operation of MRFs are carried out as joint initiatives of corporates/brand owners and recyclers, which help recyclers to continue their waste processing operations efficiently, whilst providing opportunities for corporates/brand owners to fulfil their EPR responsibilities
Based on the trend in the recyclable waste collection market in Sri Lanka, the establishment of an integrated waste collection network which is primarily based on MRFs is proposed. Even though prominence is given to MRFs in the proposed integrated network, setting up of collection centers and other types of collection methods in peripheral areas are also encouraged and promoted as MRFs alone might find it challenging to meet high volume requirements, which is essential to cover the significantly high initial and operational cost of the MRFs.
The market entry to set up MRFs for collecting recyclable waste should be kept open to any interested new comers, without any entry barriers. It is essential for MRFs to work closely with existing and potentially new local level actors in each location in order to support local plastic waste collection efforts and livelihoods while ensuring that their collection volumes are fulfilled and they are at full operational capacity. Further, the proposed MRF-centered network is not considered a competing force against existing waste collection facilities such as collection centers. Moreover, the high cost of transportation of collected plastic waste, which is borne by informal and semi-organized actors at the moment, can get reduced through the proposed MRF network as collectors could deliver their collection to MRFs without transporting them to leading recyclers in Colombo.
Through careful assessment of existing collection mechanisms and based on the consultations with key players in the plastic waste value chain, there is general consensus that the most sensible and practical approach for increasing waste collection is to develop an integrated waste collection framework i.e. MRF Network, by strengthening existing collection mechanisms with closer and mutually beneficial linkages between the various actors in the value chain.
