Sri Lanka's Environment Ministry has launched a campaign urging citizens to abandon single-use plastic bottles in favor of reusable alternatives, warning that discarded bottles persist in the environment for centuries.
The Environment Ministry has issued a public appeal asking Sri Lankans to transition away from single-use plastic water bottles and adopt reusable options as part of a broader effort to combat plastic pollution in the country. Officials emphasized that bottles purchased for temporary convenience can remain in the environment for hundreds of years, creating persistent environmental damage.
The ministry has already taken preliminary action by implementing a special circular that took effect on May 31, 2026, directing state institutions to minimize their purchase and use of single-use plastic bottles. These institutional measures form part of ongoing programmes to reduce plastic and polythene consumption across government agencies, aligned with commitments made during World Environment Day 2025.
Beyond regulatory measures, the ministry encouraged individual behavioral change, suggesting that citizens carry reusable water bottles—including glass or other environmentally friendly alternatives—when leaving home. Officials stressed that legislation alone cannot solve the problem and that meaningful progress depends on shifts in everyday habits.
The ministry indicated that arrangements are being developed under amended environmental legislation to introduce nationwide plastic-reduction initiatives in cooperation with industries. The ultimate goal, according to the ministry, is to create a cleaner and greener environment for future generations by reducing dependence on single-use plastics.
