Beneath the beauty of the world’s oceans lies a growing crisis with every passing day. Yes, the marine plastics problem is compounding, choking marine life, contaminating ecosystems and pushing one of the planet’s most precious resources closer to a tipping point. As an island n…
Beneath the beauty of the world’s oceans lies a growing crisis with every passing day. Yes, the marine plastics problem is compounding, choking marine life, contaminating ecosystems and pushing one of the planet’s most precious resources closer to a tipping point. As an island nation, Sri Lanka is especially vulnerable to the devasting impact of marine debris on its beaches, bio diversity, fisheries and tourism. Excerpts of an interview with M/s Sharika Senanayake, Director,Mas Foundation for Change, on plastics and marine pollution whose work champions innovative solutions,community engagement to create cleaner waterways and healthier oceans . (Q) When we look into our canals and waterways, what is the waste really telling us about our society? (A)The waste caught by our Ocean Strainers tells a powerful story. We find plastic bottles, food wrappers, shopping bags, polystyrene, glass, textiles, discarded household items, and organic waste. In 2025 it’s recorded that our ocean strainer captured 2,800 tons of mismanaged waste that ended up in the water bodies / canals, but beyond the physical items, this waste reflects our habits, our consumption patterns, and the systems that are failing to keep waste out of nature. Every piece of litter in a canal began with a human decision. Understanding this connection is the first step toward creating lasting change. (Q) Does the waste look the same everywhere, or does each community have its own waste fingerprint? (A) Every waterway has its own story. In densely populated urban areas, we often see high volumes of single-use plastics, food packaging, and takeaway containers. Near markets, organic waste is more common. In residential communities, household waste becomes a larger contributor. Industrial zones may reveal entirely different waste streams. Studying these differences helps us understand not just what is entering our waterways, but why. This data is critical for developing targeted solutions rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach. (Q)Who is responsible for the waste entering our waterways? (A) The easy answer is “someone else.” The honest answer is all of us. Individuals who litter, businesses that generate unnecessary waste, systems that fail to collect and recover materials, and institutions that lack adequate infrastructure all play a role. Floating waste is not caused by a single culprit. It is the result of thousands of daily decisions. The encouraging reality is that the solution can also come from thousands of daily actions taken collectively. (Q) What can communities do today to become part of the solution? (A) Communities are not just beneficiaries of clean waterways—they are the driving force behind them. Simple actions create powerful outcomes: • Dispose of waste responsibly. • Separate recyclables at home. • Reduce the use of single-use plastics. • Participate in community clean-ups. • Report illegal dumping. • Educate children and neighbours. • Support local recycling initiatives. The cleanest waterways are not created by technology alone. They are created by communities that care enough to protect them. (Q) Why should we care about waste floating in canals when it eventually disappears from sight? (A) Because it never truly disappears. Plastic waste breaks down into smaller and smaller pieces known as microplastics. These particles enter the food chain, impact marine life, and can ultimately find their way back to us through the food we eat and the water we consume. Floating waste also blocks waterways, increases flooding risk, degrades habitats, reduces biodiversity, and harms wildlife through entanglement and ingestion. What enters our canals today can impact ecosystems for generations. (Q) How much waste do the Ocean Strainers actually prevent from reaching the ocean? (A) Every day, Ocean Strainers intercept significant volumes of floating waste before it reaches the sea. (Q) If recycling is part of the answer, why are recycling rates still so low? (A) Many recyclable materials never reach recycling facilities. Common barriers include: • Lack of waste separation at source. • Contamination of recyclable materials. • Limited public awareness. • Inconvenient collection systems. • Low perceived value of waste. Improving recycling rates requires making recycling easier, more accessible, and more rewarding. It also requires shifting mindsets so that waste is viewed as a resource rather than something to be discarded. (Q) Where can citizens contribute their recyclables and become part of the circular economy? (A) Across Sri Lanka, recycling opportunities continue to grow through municipal collection systems, private recyclers, collection centres, schools, community initiatives, and social enterprises. The most important first step is separating recyclable materials at home. Once separated, these materials have a far greater chance of being recovered and re-entering the economy rather than ending up in waterways or landfills. Our studies shows that 30-40% of captured waste is plastic and polythene which could have recycled value if its managed properly. Every household has the potential to become a small but important recycling hub. (Q) What is the single behaviour change that could create the fastest impact? (A) Stop littering. It sounds simple because it is. If every person ensured that waste reached the correct collection system, the amount of floating waste entering our waterways would reduce dramatically. The next most impactful behaviour is reducing unnecessary single-use plastics. The best waste is the waste that is never created. Small actions repeated by millions of people can transform entire ecosystems. (Q) Why is food waste also an environmental issue? (A) Food waste is often overlooked because it appears natural. However, when food waste enters waterways, it contributes to water pollution, reduces oxygen levels, and disrupts aquatic ecosystems. When it decomposes in landfills, it generates greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. A Final Reflection Ocean Strainers help prevent waste from reaching the ocean, but they are only a temporary barrier. The real solution lies upstream—in our homes, our businesses, our communities, and our choices. By Zanita Careem