A silent issue which is escalating to crisis levels is the plastic pollution situation and the risks it poses are a significant threat to both the health of Sri Lankans and to that of the planet. Among the plastic pollutants, single-use plastics (SUPs) have become a major driver of pollution on land and in oceans. SUPs are disposable plastic items made for one-time use – bags, packaging, straws, and bottles – that are quickly discarded after use. In 2021, they accounted for an estimated 139 million metric tonnes of global plastic waste, the Colombo-based think tank Institute for Policy Studies (IPS) said recently. According to them, over time, Sri Lanka has made notable progress in limiting SUPs through legislative bans, due to their significant threat to ecosystems, human health, and industries such as tourism and fisheries. However, roughly 70% of plastic waste is still SUPs. One of the key challenges in effectively regulating and reducing plastics use, waste and recycling is not a lack of regulations but rather the absence of meaningful implementation and enforcement, the IPS points out. To seriously “beat plastic pollution, Sri Lanka must look beyond bans and build a robust policy framework that addresses the full lifecycle of plastic products” the IPS noted.

In June, Sri Lanka signed up for a joint high-level appeal calling for an effective global treaty to combat the challenge of plastic pollution, on the sidelines of the third United Nations Conference Oceans Conference (UNOC3) which was held in Nice, France. The appeal termed, ‘Nice Wake-Up Call’, was endorsed by Sri Lanka during a side event at the UNOC3. Sri Lanka is one of 95 nations which has signed the appeal. The appeal comes ahead of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC 5.2) session on the global plastics treaty which is expected to take place in August. The agreement which the signatories are seeking has a particular focus on reducing the global production of plastics, eliminating harmful chemicals, promoting sustainable design, and ensuring effective means of implementation – including financial support through the ‘polluter pays’ principle. The signatories want a binding agreement which is science-based and will evolve over time to tackle the global plastics crisis. Also in June, the UN Secretary-General António Guterres, stressed the need for a comprehensive global agreement on plastic pollution by the end of the year, pointing out that the “world”, especially its ocean ecosystem which all life is dependent on, was “running out of time” to address the plastic crisis. He urged all nations to join the effort and find solutions to the crisis.

Recently, concerns have been growing about microplastics consumption through food, especially sea food. Given that a majority of plastic waste ends up in the oceans, the concerns are gaining traction. According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), microplastics have been found in various types of human food (including in beer, honey and table salt). The majority of existing scientific studies deal with their occurrence in seafood, making it the most understood potential source of microplastics to humans. Although fish fillets and big fish are two of the main consumed fishery products, these are not a likely or significant source of microplastics, because in most cases the gut, where most microplastics are found, is not consumed. Therefore, small fish species, crustaceans and mollusks that are eaten whole and without de-gutting are the main concern when talking about dietary exposure to microplastics through consumption of fisheries and aquaculture products.

According to the FAO, it is expected that in the near future, microplastics and the more challenging nano-plastics contamination can only increase and will add to the current environmental stresses on fisheries resources. Therefore, there is a great need to raise awareness and find suitable solutions on how to cut the sources and loadings of microplastics and nanoplastics in the marine environment. This is why Sri Lanka needs to review its current regulatory framework and improve its enforcement mechanisms, and work towards a comprehensive plan to reduce plastic production and pollution. 

The next ‘major health crisis’, like CKD, could be one emerging from the consumption of plastics and its negative impact on the human body and eco systems. The time to act is now.