Janathakshan GTE Ltd, supported by The Coca-Cola Foundation, has completed the initiative titled “Strengthening Women and Youth Engagement in Informal Waste Management in Sri Lanka (SWYFT).” This project, which ran from August 2024 to May 2026, covered the Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Matale, and Kurunegala districts, and significantly enhanced plastic waste management practices while promoting circular economy principles throughout the country.
The SWYFT initiative was built around three primary goals: enhancing community understanding of responsible consumption and waste disposal, creating sustainable income opportunities for women and youth involved in plastic waste management, and formalizing informal waste management systems in the targeted districts to foster a more inclusive and sustainable circular economy.
Throughout its two-year duration, the project reached several significant milestones in Sri Lanka’s environmental sector. It established five Material Collection and Processing Centers (MCPCs) led by women and youth, all equipped with advanced baling equipment to improve resource recovery. A highlight of the project was the launch of Sri Lanka’s first hydro-powered MCPC in collaboration with Thalawakelle Plantation of the Hayleys Group, establishing a new standard for collaboration between the private sector and civil society.
To reduce the carbon emissions associated with local waste collection, the project introduced electric three-wheelers tailored for waste management. In total, eight electric three-wheelers and fifteen electric bicycles were provided to local waste collectors to facilitate low-emission and efficient logistics.
SWYFT strongly focused on enhancing the financial stability and resilience of informal waste management participants. Tailored business plans were created for all five MCPCs and for 40 individual waste collectors to support ongoing income generation and business viability. Additionally, 45 waste collectors underwent specialized training to boost operational efficiency and broaden their economic prospects within the circular economy. To aid evidence-based decision-making and bolster the overall waste management sector, the project conducted a detailed National PET Plastic Ecosystem Study, offering insights to inform future environmental policies and initiatives.
The project effectively engaged communities and stakeholders through comprehensive awareness and educational campaigns that promoted responsible plastic use, waste segregation, recycling, and environmentally sound disposal practices. These initiatives reached over 15,000 schoolchildren, more than 3,000 community members, and over 400 stakeholders from government and the private sector. Such targeted awareness efforts contributed to positive behavioral shifts, enhanced public knowledge regarding plastic pollution, and strengthened collective action toward sustainable waste management and environmental stewardship.
The culmination of the project was marked by the National Informal Waste Collectors Recognition Event held on May 27, 2026, at Amari Colombo. This gathering brought together government officials, business leaders, and civil society representatives to recognize the essential contributions of informal waste collectors to environmental sustainability. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits were distributed to attendees to promote their occupational safety and health.
The event featured Hon. Anton Jayakodi, Deputy Minister of Environment, as the Chief Guest, along with senior officials from various environmental authorities.
Deputy Minister Jayakodi remarked, “Plastic pollution poses a significant environmental issue in Sri Lanka. The informal waste management sector plays a crucial role in plastic waste collection and recycling, and their contributions are invaluable. We greatly appreciate the support from private sector partners and other stakeholders in these efforts to maintain a clean and sustainable Sri Lanka.”
Dr. Janaka Hemathilaka, CEO and Executive Director of Janathakshan GTE Ltd, emphasized, “At Janathakshan, our commitment lies in empowering individuals and engaging communities in the circular economy while safeguarding the environment and ecosystems. Through innovation and technology, we transform waste into value that benefits both people and the planet.”
With the successful conclusion of the SWYFT project, Janathakshan and The Coca-Cola Foundation have created a replicable and inclusive framework for community-driven environmental sustainability and economic empowerment within Sri Lanka’s plastic waste management landscape.
