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“ Let's Turn the Tide on Plastic Pollution!”

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Plastic Pollution in SriLanka

Polythene Bags

20 Years

Plastic Cups

30 Years

Plastic Straws

200 Years

Yoghurt Cup

500 Years

Plastic Bottles

450 Years

Eco Earth: Let's Lift the Weight of Plastic together

PLASTIC POLUTION IN SRI LANKA

In Sri Lanka, plastic pollution poses a significant threat to the island's pristine natural environment, diverse ecosystems, and coastal communities. Despite its relatively small size, Sri Lanka faces considerable challenges in managing plastic waste due to rapid urbanization, inadequate waste management infrastructure, and increasing plastic consumption.

Statistics indicate that Sri Lanka generates approximately 5,000 metric tons of plastic waste every month, with a significant portion ending up in landfills, rivers, and coastal areas. The country's picturesque beaches, coral reefs, and marine habitats are particularly vulnerable to plastic pollution, with plastic debris washing ashore and posing a threat to marine life.

Plastic pollution in Sri Lanka is exacerbated by factors such as improper waste disposal practices, limited recycling facilities,

and a lack of awareness about the environmental consequences of plastic consumption. Single-use plastics, including plastic bags, bottles, and packaging, are commonly used and discarded, contributing to the accumulation of plastic waste in the environment.

The impact of plastic pollution extends beyond environmental degradation to economic and social consequences. Coastal communities reliant on fishing and tourism suffer from polluted beaches and waters, affecting livelihoods and economic opportunities. Furthermore, plastic pollution exacerbates flooding and drainage problems during the monsoon season, leading to infrastructure damage and public health concerns.

Efforts to address plastic pollution in Sri Lanka include initiatives to improve waste management systems, promote sustainable alternatives to single-use plastics, and raise awareness about the importance of reducing plastic consumption. Civil society organizations, government agencies, and grassroots movements are working together to implement policies and programs aimed at mitigating the impacts of plastic pollution and preserving Sri Lanka's natural beauty for future generations.

Join Us in Our Efforts to Reduce Plastic Pollution!

Recycle

Transforming waste into valuable resources, conserving energy, reducing pollution, and preserving our planet for a sustainable future.

Reduce

Minimizing consumption, waste, and environmental impact by using fewer resources, embracing simplicity, and promoting sustainable lifestyles for a greener planet

Reuse

xtending the life of products, minimizing waste, and conserving resources by finding new purposes and creative ways to repurpose items sustainably

Foot Print

Measure of greenhouse gases emitted through human activities. Understanding and reducing it helps combat climate change and preserve the planet's health.

plastic polution

Marine Pollution

Marine pollution caused by plastic in Sri Lanka has significant detrimental effects on the country's coastal ecosystems and marine biodiversity:

Physical Harm to Marine Life: Plastic waste poses a direct threat to marine animals through entanglement and ingestion. Marine creatures such as sea turtles, dolphins, and seabirds often mistake plastic debris for food or become entangled in plastic items like fishing nets, leading to injury, suffocation, and death.

Chemical Pollution: Plastics contain various chemicals and additives, some of which can leach into the marine environment, contaminating seawater and sediments. These chemicals can accumulate in the tissues of marine organisms, potentially causing physiological and reproductive abnormalities and disrupting ecosystem dynamics.

Microplastic Contamination: Over time, larger plastic items degrade into smaller fragments known as microplastics, which are less than 5mm in size. Microplastics are pervasive in marine environments and can be ingested by a wide range of marine organisms, from plankton to filter-feeding fish to apex predators. This ingestion can lead to bioaccumulation of toxins and pose risks to marine food webs and human health.

Habitat Degradation: Plastic pollution alters marine habitats and ecosystems, smothering coral reefs, suffocating mangroves, and covering sandy beaches. Accumulated plastic debris can also create physical barriers, inhibiting the movement of marine organisms and disrupting natural processes such as nesting and foraging.

Impact on Fisheries and Livelihoods: Marine pollution negatively affects Sri Lanka's coastal fisheries, which are vital for the livelihoods and food security of coastal communities. Entanglement in abandoned fishing gear, known as ghost nets, can damage fishing equipment and reduce catch yields, while plastic ingestion by fish can lead to bioaccumulation of toxins and impact human health through the consumption of contaminated seafood.

Land Pollution

Land pollution in Sri Lanka, primarily caused by plastic waste, has significant environmental, social, and economic consequences:

Aesthetic Degradation: Improper disposal of plastic waste leads to littering of urban and rural landscapes, including streets, parks, and natural areas. This not only diminishes the aesthetic beauty of the surroundings but also creates a sense of neglect and disarray in communities.

Soil Contamination: Plastic waste that accumulates on land can leach harmful chemicals and toxins into the soil, leading to soil pollution. These pollutants can affect soil fertility, hinder plant growth, and pose risks to human health if they enter the food chain through contaminated crops.

Habitat Fragmentation: Plastic pollution disrupts terrestrial habitats and ecosystems, particularly in wildlife habitats such as forests, wetlands, and grasslands. Accumulated plastic debris can alter habitat structure, impede natural processes, and fragment wildlife habitats, leading to biodiversity loss and ecological imbalance.

Human Health Risks: In addition to soil contamination, land pollution from plastic waste poses health risks to humans living in affected areas. Exposure to pollutants and toxins leached from plastic waste can lead to respiratory problems, skin irritations, and other health issues, particularly among vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly.

Infrastructure Damage: Improperly disposed plastic waste can clog drainage systems, leading to flooding, waterlogging, and infrastructure damage during the monsoon season. Blocked drains and waterways increase the risk of waterborne diseases, property damage, and disruption of essential services such as transportation and sanitation.

Economic Burden Of Plastic

The economic burden of plastic pollution in Sri Lanka encompasses various costs and impacts on communities, industries, and the national economy:

Cleanup Costs: Cleaning up plastic waste from streets, beaches, and waterways imposes significant financial burdens on local governments, municipalities, and environmental organizations. These costs include manpower, equipment, transportation, and disposal expenses, diverting resources from other essential services and infrastructure projects.

Tourism Revenue Loss: Sri Lanka's coastal tourism industry, a significant contributor to the national economy, suffers from the negative impacts of plastic pollution on beaches and marine environments. Tourists are less likely to visit destinations marred by littered beaches and polluted waters, leading to revenue losses for businesses, hotels, restaurants, and tour operators reliant on tourism income.

Healthcare Expenditures: Plastic pollution poses health risks to communities living near contaminated areas, leading to increased healthcare expenditures related to treating respiratory illnesses, skin infections, and other health problems caused by exposure to pollutants and toxins leached from plastic waste.

Infrastructure Damage: Plastic waste accumulation can damage infrastructure such as drainage systems, roads, and buildings, particularly during the monsoon season. Blocked drains and waterways result in flooding, waterlogging, and erosion, necessitating costly repairs and maintenance to restore functionality and prevent further damage.

Fisheries Impact: Sri Lanka's coastal fisheries, a vital source of livelihoods and food security for coastal communities, are negatively impacted by plastic pollution. Entanglement in abandoned fishing gear and ingestion of plastic debris by marine organisms can damage fishing equipment, reduce catch yields, and lead to economic losses for fisherfolk and seafood industries.

Productivity Loss: Plastic pollution can hinder agricultural productivity by contaminating soil and water resources, affecting crop yields and food production. Reduced agricultural output can lead to income losses for farmers, food shortages, and increased dependence on imported food supplies, further straining the national economy.

Join Our Plastic polution Survey

Explore respondents' habits regarding the use of single-use plastics, including plastic bags, bottles, straws, and packaging. Assess frequency of use, sources of plastic products, and attitudes towards plastic consumption.

Neutralize your individual plastic footprint

offset your brand's footprint with plastic credits

Buy social plastic Feedstock

Stop ocean plastic at its source

Your journey begins at the root of ocean-bound plastic pollution — communities within
50km of vulnerable coastlines with high levels of poverty and inadequate waste
management.

Top 1000 ocean pollution points

48,250 Kg +

Plastic

45,850 Kg +

Polythene Bags

38,750Kg +

Rubber

70,256 Kg +

Electronic waste

Carbon Footprint

A carbon footprint calculator is a tool used to estimate the total amount of greenhouse gases, primarily carbon dioxide (CO2), emitted directly or indirectly by human activities into the atmosphere, typically measured in units of kilograms or metric tons of CO2 equivalent. These activities include energy consumption, transportation, food consumption, and other lifestyle choices.

The calculator usually prompts users to input various data points related to their activities, such as electricity usage, fuel consumption for vehicles, distance traveled via different modes of transportation, and dietary habits. Based on this input, the calculator calculates the associated emissions using predefined emission factors or algorithms.

Unite For a Greener Tomorrow. Let's Nurture Our Eco Earth!

“ Let's Turn the Tide on Plastic Pollution!”

welcome to eco earth

Plastic Pollution in SriLanka

Polythene Bags

20 Years

Plastic Cups

30 Years

Plastic Straws

200 Years

Yoghurt Cup

500 Years

Plastic Bottles

450 Years

Eco Earth: Let's Lift the Weight of Plastic together

PLASTIC POLUTION IN SRI LANKA

Join Us in Our Efforts to Reduce Plastic Pollution!

Recycle

Reduce

Reuse

Foot Print

plastic polution

Marine Pollution

Land Pollution

Economic Burden Of Plastic

Join Our Plastic polution Survey

Neutralize your individual plastic footprint

offset your brand's footprint with plastic credits

Buy social plastic Feedstock

Stop ocean plastic at its source

Top 1000 ocean pollution points

48,250 Kg +

Plastic

45,850 Kg +

Polythene Bags

38,750Kg +

Rubber

70,256 Kg +

Electronic waste

Carbon Footprint

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