‘Waste not want not’

Hiran Senewiratne

An islandwide programme has been implemented by the recent Export Award Winner Kalhari Enterprises, Heyiyanthuduwa to purchase used PET bottles, polythene, heavy duty plastics, used computers, electronic equipment, any type of post industrial latex based or dry rubber based scraps, used tyres, tubes, etc which are hazardous to the environment.

Kalhari Enterprises which collects and recycles waste rubber and plastics says this programme is now with the communities.

“We started this venture since 2003 and we are expanding our business to capture a big market share and earn plentiful foreign income through this venture. We buy used plastics and rubber products and pay handsome payments for the collectors who reside all over the island, said CEO of the company Kaushal Rajapaksa.

Speaking to media he said the company has commenced its operations and now in the process of the waste PET bottles and other plastics as well as scrap and used tires and other rubber waste.

The company invested ten million rupees in the venture to collect plastic bottles and as well as creating awareness among consumers. While appreciating the guidance and assistance they receive from the Central Environment Authority, Waste Management Authority (Western Province) and the Ministry of industries. Rajapaksa said that it is the prime responsibility as private sector to support the programmes launched by the State authorities to usefully recycle the plastic, rubber and other waste which will not only generate income but also will solve the problems of waste.

“Lot of people are ignoring the value of waste but as a company with a strong sense of corporate social responsibility we want to make the consumer and the private sector aware of this issue,” he said. PET is one of the most common materials used to pack a wide range of food and beverages as well as other household products such as detergents, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. Over six million PET bottles are improperly disposed every month and Sri Lankan consumers use over 6.5 million PET bottles a month.

“We wanted to recycle all the PET plastic bottles in Sri Lanka as they are non-bio degradable,” he said.

The company exports over 250 metric tons of processed plastic and rubber waste a month to India, USA, China,india, Malaysia and to Japan, where there is more demand for recycled plastics.

“There is about 350 metric tons of PET produced and consumed monthly in Sri Lanka,” he said.

Consumers are encouraged to collect PET bottles and hand them over to the Company plant in Heyiyanthuduwa.

The recycled PET bottles can be turned in to fiber-based products, plastics and carpets.

According to the Central Environment Authority the amount of plastics recycled has almost doubled to 48 percent in 2007.

Plastics are made from a resource not generally known for being environmentally friendly: petroleum. More than half that packaging is plastic. While some plastics are readily recyclable, and some are not. Plastics are used for an ever in increasing variety of disposable as well as durable goods. Plastics are inexpensive to produce are versatile. But tremendous energy inputs go into making plastics, and they break down slowly, he said.