The role of stakeholders in managing polythene and plastic waste in coastal cities of Sri Lanka: a case study of the Dehiwala-Mt. lavinia municipal council region

¹ Senior Lecturer, Department of Town & Country Planning, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka
² Project Officer, SEVANATHA Urban Resource Center, Sri Lanka
³ Professor, Queensland University of Technology, Australia

^* Corresponding author: clevo.wilson@qut.edu.au

Abstract

High-density urban development with mixed land uses in Sri Lankan coastal cities generate large amounts of plastic and polythene waste (PPW). The limited capacity of city councils, the deficiencies of current waste management practices and poor awareness, a significant proportion of PPW is being released into the environment, which in turn has accumulated in the marine ecosystem through canal networks. This paper analyses the current practices of PPW disposal in one such coastal region based on a sample of 579 households, 182 commercial properties, and 103 institutions. Results indicate that out of 29 tons of PPW generated in the region, around 8% was disposed into the environment in the form of landfill, burning, and discharging into water bodies. Non-parametric correlations indicate a significant correlation between reduction of PPW (waste generators), private waste collection and awareness by local media. Qualitative analysis highlights the existing limitations of current practices of PPW disposal such as non-availability of practical and cost effective alternatives (government and industries), poor awareness of PPW impacts (waste generators, media, the local council, and researchers), negative attitudes of society, law enforcement (national government and local councils) and irregular waste collection of local councils.