• ZeroPlastic Movement Founder Nishshanka de Silva on Global Recycling Day

Sri Lanka, like many other nations, is grappling with the staggering volume of plastic waste generated each day. Shockingly, statistics from the Centre for Equality and Justice reveal a grim reality: we consume an alarming 20 million shopping bags daily, while a staggering 10 million polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles flood our landfills. 

Lunch sheets, once convenient, have now become a ubiquitous pollutant, with 15 million of them discarded daily, leaving a trail of environmental degradation in their wake. Our recycling track record is bleak – only 5-9% of plastics are recycled; the rest is disposed of in landfills or incinerators. 

Statistics also belie a harsh truth – only 15% of the population is aware of the importance of recycling. ZeroPlastic Movement Founder Nishshanka de Silva laments the disjointed efforts and lack of awareness plaguing the nation’s fight against plastic pollution. From individuals succumbing to its ill effects to entire industries turning a blind eye, the gravity of the situation cannot be overstated.

With Global Recycling Day falling tomorrow (18), The Sunday Morning Brunch decided to take a look at how we as Sri Lankans can ease our plastic burden, together with Nishshanka. A youth volunteer-driven civil society organisation, the ZeroPlastic Movement stands as a beacon of hope amidst the mounting plastic crisis. 

The journey of the ZeroPlastic Movement began humbly, with Nishshanka envisioning a starting recruitment of 25 volunteers within a year. However, an overwhelming response at  the university level saw 1,500 volunteers stepping forward in the first year alone. 

Since its establishment, the movement has evolved into a foremost grassroots environmental activist group in Sri Lanka with over 10,000 volunteers from universities, corporations, and schools coming together to combat plastic pollution through education and advocacy. It was also named ‘National Winner 2023 – Sri Lanka’ earlier this year in recognition of its ZeroPlastic River Strainer project and has been nominated for the prestigious ‘Energy Globe World Awards’.

The ZeroPlastic Movement story

The ZeroPlastic Movement began its journey in 2021 when Nishshanka had a simple yet profound realisation of just how critical the escalating plastic crisis in Sri Lanka was. “I was sitting in my home and I noticed how everything around me, from food covers to flower pots to tools, was plastic.” 

This plastic had to go somewhere when it was no longer being used, but where? Plastic doesn’t decompose; it goes into landfills, where even when it does break down after hundreds of years it becomes microplastic that contaminates the ecosystem around it. 

Driven by a desire to harness the power of volunteerism, Nishshanka sought to create a movement that could engage the most passionate of our population – the youth – and transcend mere environmental activism. He envisioned a platform where anyone could join, particularly the younger generation, in order to tackle plastic pollution energetically. 

Reflecting on his approach, Nishshanka explained: “I wanted to create a movement where anyone can join and engage energetically with the youth in a well-aligned effort to address plastic pollution.”

Recognising the multifaceted nature of the plastic problem, Nishshanka set out to address two key objectives. Firstly, the promotion of the 3R concept – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – and secondly, the advocacy for plastic alternatives. He elaborated on this approach, stating: “ZeroPlastic tried to address two problems – the consumption of plastic and the promotion of plastic alternative products and linking them with buyers.”

Central to the ZeroPlastic Movement’s strategy was the establishment of ZeroPlastic Clubs in universities across the nation. These clubs served as grassroots platforms for environmental activism, empowering students to spearhead initiatives in their communities. Nishshanka elucidated on this aspect, emphasising on the importance of grassroots involvement: “The clubs have their own constitutions and committees, are governed by their own officials, and engage in projects at the grassroots level.”

Despite humble beginnings, the movement rapidly gained momentum, attracting an ever-growing legion of volunteers. From an initial target of 25 volunteers within the first year, it burgeoned to encompass over 10,000 passionate individuals by 2021. 

Nishshanka reflected on this exponential growth, marvelling at the enthusiasm of the volunteers: “Initially, I was planning to have 25 volunteers within a year, but people still joined very proactively – 1,500 in the first year, then 3,000, and then 10,000 as time went on.”

The problem of plastic pollution

Plastic pollution stands as one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time, posing grave threats to ecosystems, wildlife, and human health. Plastic’s durability, often touted as a virtue in its production, proves to be its greatest curse in disposal. 

As Nishshanka pointed out: “Plastic is a kind of innovation that never dies; it never decomposes.” This enduring nature means that once discarded, plastic persists indefinitely, accumulating in landfills, waterways, and oceans, where it wreaks havoc on ecosystems and marine life. He painted a stark picture of the consequences: “If we leave it in the environment over time, it will release microplastic, be really harmful to mankind, and make the entire planet uninhabitable.”

Recycling emerges as a crucial solution in mitigating the impacts of plastic pollution. Nishshanka underscored its importance, highlighting the potential to give plastic a second life: “Recycling plastic means that we reintroduce it into the same cycle, bring it back into the circular economy, and reduce emissions caused by creating new plastic to meet demand.” Through recycling, plastic waste can be transformed into new products, reducing the need for virgin plastic production and curbing carbon emissions associated with its manufacture.

Moreover, recycling offers a tangible means of diverting plastic waste from landfills and oceans. Nishshanka elaborated on the significance of this process, emphasising on its role in waste management: “Recycling is a basic form of making plastic into another product.” By diverting plastic from disposal sites, recycling helps alleviate the burden on already overwhelmed waste management systems, contributing to cleaner, healthier environments.

Beyond waste management, recycling holds the key to conserving finite resources and reducing environmental degradation. Nishshanka drew attention to the energy savings and environmental benefits associated with recycling: “The effort and the emissions throughout the recycling process are less than when creating new products from fossil fuel.” By repurposing existing materials, recycling minimises the need for resource extraction, thereby mitigating habitat destruction and pollution associated with mining and manufacturing.

Furthermore, recycling represents a critical strategy in combating climate change, as Nishshanka observed: “Plastic is directly connected to carbon emissions.” By reducing the demand for virgin plastic production, recycling helps lower greenhouse gas emissions associated with the extraction and processing of fossil fuels used in plastic manufacturing.

In essence, recycling embodies a holistic approach to addressing the plastic pollution crisis, offering tangible benefits for both the environment and society. As Nishshanka outlined: “Through collective efforts and a commitment to recycling, we can work towards a cleaner, more sustainable future for generations to come.” 

With the benefits of recycling so evident, how then is it that only 15% of our population is aware of recycling? At its core, this was an issue of education awareness, Nishshanka explained: “Unfortunately, in the Sri Lankan context, our curriculum and education system do not focus on managing waste properly. Environmental studies is a subject taught at a surface level and many don’t fully grasp the negative side of plastic pollution and waste, and therefore don’t feel the need to set things right. A lack of policies and regulations also work to promote increased plastic use.” 

Becoming plastic-free

Achieving a plastic-free Sri Lanka requires a multifaceted approach encompassing individual actions, corporate responsibility, and Government initiatives. But first, Nisshanka stressed that it was important to understand what being plastic-free entailed: “Plastic-free means that we give zero plastic back to nature. It does not mean that we stop using plastic altogether.”

One of the more substantial ways to achieve this is by changing our individual behaviour to adopt more sustainable daily practices like carrying reusable bags and water bottles. Additionally, Nishshanka emphasised on the need to address single-use plastics, pointing out the movement’s opposition to these. Encouraging consumers to opt for eco-friendly alternatives and supporting local industries in producing plastic alternatives are crucial steps.

Corporate engagement is also pivotal in the journey towards a plastic-free Sri Lanka. Nishshanka urged companies to implement zero-plastic policies internally and support local eco-friendly products: “Developing a zero-plastic policy within corporations will in turn  support local entrepreneurs and reduce plastic use.” By prioritising sustainability in their operations and procurement practices, corporations can significantly reduce their plastic footprint and set an example for others to follow.

Furthermore, Government intervention is essential in enacting policies and regulations that promote sustainability and discourage plastic consumption. Nishshanka highlighted the importance of policy measures such as taxes on plastic imports and bans on single-use plastics: “Implement tax for plastic imports, increase taxes on virgin plastic to boost the use of recycled plastic, and ban single-use plastic products like bottles and flowers,” he recommended. By creating a conducive regulatory environment, the Government could incentivise eco-friendly practices and hold polluters accountable.

Of course, education and awareness play a crucial role in driving behavioural change and fostering a culture of sustainability. Nishshanka emphasised on the need for comprehensive waste management education in schools and communities: “In Japan, from Grade 1, students are exposed to managing waste properly. By integrating environmental education into the curriculum and raising awareness about the impacts of plastic pollution, Sri Lanka can empower its citizens to make informed choices and contribute to a plastic-free future.”