A research initiative supported by €110,000 in European Union funding is set to examine the growing challenge of plastic waste within Sri Lanka's food industry, aiming to fill critical knowledge gaps and propose practical solutions for one of the country's most pressing environmental concerns.
The project will focus on understanding how plastics are used across every stage of the food sector — from packaging at the manufacturing level to distribution, retail, and ultimately, consumer waste. Researchers will map the flow of plastic through the system, identify where the most waste is generated, and assess the environmental and health impacts of plastic contamination in food products.
Sri Lanka has struggled with plastic pollution in recent years, despite implementing a partial ban on certain single-use plastics in 2020. The food and beverage industry remains one of the largest consumers of plastic materials, including polythene wrappers, PET bottles, foam containers, and sachets. Much of this waste ends up in landfills or waterways, contributing to broader ecological damage and posing risks to public health.
Experts say there is limited data on the exact volume of plastic waste generated by the food sector and few studies evaluating the effectiveness of existing waste management practices. This new research is expected to provide the first comprehensive evidence base on the issue, offering policymakers and industry leaders the information they need to design targeted interventions.
The EU has long supported environmental sustainability projects in South Asia, and this initiative aligns with its broader climate and circular economy goals. Officials involved in the project have emphasized that reducing plastic in the food supply chain is not just an environmental imperative but also an economic one — excessive packaging drives up costs for businesses and creates long-term sanitation burdens for municipalities.
Stakeholders from government agencies, academic institutions, private food companies, and waste management organizations are expected to collaborate as part of the study, which is anticipated to run over the coming months before releasing its findings and policy recommendations.
