Plastic pollution in Sri Lanka has emerged as a pressing environmental, public health, and economic concern, casting a shadow over the island nation's natural beauty and cultural heritage. The mismanagement of plastic waste poses serious environmental, public health, and economic risks, affecting marine ecosystems, water quality, and key sectors like tourism and fishing that contributes significantly to the economy.  The National Action Plan on Plastic Waste Management (2021-2030) identifies packaging, consumer products as one of the primary sources of plastic waste, with food-related SUP items, such as straws and packaging, being a major contributor.

 As part of the Government of Sri Lanka's ongoing commitment to environmental protection, the Consumer Affairs Authority issued Gazette Notification No. 2456/41 dated October 01, 2025, prohibiting traders from free issuance of bags made of Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) and Linear Low-Density Polyethylene (LLDPE) at the time of selling of goods to consumers. Initial observations suggest a generally positive reception among environmentally conscious citizens and responsible business operators.

 However, to ensure evidence-based policy refinement and effective enforcement, it is essential to systematically assess the

level of compliance, public awareness, business adaptation, and overall reception of this regulation across the country. The findings of this survey will directly inform policy adjustments, targeted awareness programmes, enforcement strategies, and future regulatory interventions related to plastic and polythene pollution control.

 Expertise France

Expertise France is the French Public Agency For International Technical Cooperation. As a subsidiary of the Agence Française de Développement Group (AFD Group), it designs and implements projects which aim to contribute to the balanced development of partner countries, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda and the priorities of France’s external action

The agency achieves this goal by implementing national- or regional-scale projects in major areas of public action:

●        Democratic, economic and financial governance

●        Peace, stability and security

●        Climate, agriculture and sustainable development

●        Health and human development.

Expertise France promotes international solidarity by facilitating the transfer of skills, fostering peer dialogue, and mobilizing experts to support development cooperation aligned with the rule of law, human rights, and France’s Official Development Assistance priorities. For more information: www.expertisefrance.fr

CIRCULAR Project

“Circular Economy in the Food Sector (CIRCULAR)” project is a threefold umbrella “CIRCULAR” programme funded by the European Union (EUD-Sri Lanka), for 36 months (2024-2027). It is implemented by three Implementing Organisations (IOs): Expertise France (EF), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). CIRCULAR takes an integrated approach to “promote a circular economy in the food sector” in Sri Lanka, especially aiming at the reduction of food waste and loss, as well as the reduction of Single-Use-Plastic.

 The Specific Objectives (outcomes) of the Action are:

Specific Objective 1 (SO1): to increase recovery, processing and supply of edible and safe food surplus and/or waste for the benefit of vulnerable consumers and/or food producers.

Specific Objective 2 (SO2): to enhance effectiveness of the sustainable production, distribution and consumption models related to food waste/loss and single-use plastic (SUP) food packaging.

 Expertise France works on SO2: With a focus on reducing SUP in the food sector by raising awareness of actors along the SUP, supply chain via Output;

2.1 Increased awareness (and behavioural changes) among the general public, economic   operators, consumers and civil society about public incentives, sustainable products, solutions and services on the market

Through Output 2.1, Expertise France aims to advance a circular economy in Sri Lanka’s food sector, with a particular emphasis on reducing single-use plastic (SUP) waste. This will be achieved by fostering awareness and driving behaviour change among consumers, businesses, civil society, and the public. Under this output, Expertise France will implement targeted activities to generate evidence-based knowledge and influence consumer behaviour, policy frameworks, and regulatory measures, ultimately supporting the transition to more sustainable production and consumption practices.

CHECK THE ATTACHED TERMS OF REFERENCE (ToRs) FOR MORE DETAILS