FINANCIAL CHRONICLE — The Sri Lankan government is set to amend the Environmental Act to implement Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), a regulatory framework that will transfer the responsibility of waste management, particularly for plastic and polythene packaging, from the public sector to manufacturers, according to Deputy Minister of Environment, Anton Jayakodi.
The forthcoming legislation will require producers to ensure that a significant percentage of the materials they utilize is collected and recycled. Initially, the emphasis will be on plastics and polythene, but the law is designed to broaden its focus to encompass additional materials in the future.
To facilitate this transition, the government will grant companies a three-year grace period to develop the necessary collection infrastructure before any legal repercussions are enforced.
Jayakodi stated, “The regulations we have devised place the responsibility on producers, who will need to collect a specific percentage of the plastic they generate within a given year, recycle it, and formally report this to the Central Environmental Authority.” He noted that the system draws inspiration from effective international models.
The implementation will be based on a quota system. For instance, a soft drink company may be required to present proof that it has collected and recycled 40% of the plastic it has distributed in a fiscal year.
Should the current infrastructure be inadequate, companies will be obligated to invest in their own collection facilities and transportation networks.
Officials highlighted that this system is designed to ensure that the financial responsibility for environmental cleanup is placed on producers rather than consumers. Companies that fail to achieve the specified collection targets within the allotted timeframe will face fines, which will be assessed based on the amount of uncollected waste. This marks a transition from voluntary recycling to a strictly enforced environmental obligation. (Colombo/May12/2026)
