Proper Disposal

Proper Disposal: What to Do Instead of Burning or Dumping

Burning or dumping waste in nature is illegal and dangerous. There are simple, responsible, and economically viable alternatives. Here is what you can do, step by step, to manage your waste correctly.

🗑️ Sort Your Waste at Home – The First Crucial Step

Good management starts with sorting at the source. Systematically separate your waste into several categories.

• Organic waste: food scraps, peelings, coffee grounds, dead leaves. They can be composted.
• Plastics and polythene: bottles, bags, packaging, cups. Rinse them quickly and put them in a dedicated bag.
• Paper and cardboard: newspapers, shipping boxes, used notebooks.
• Glass: bottles, jars (rinse them).
• Metals: cans, tins.
• Non‑recyclable waste: diapers, soiled paper, cotton, etc.

💡 Practical tip: Use two bins at home – one for organic (compostable) waste and one for dry recyclables. This makes everything easier.

♻️ Use Local Collection Points and Recycling Centers

Sri Lanka has a growing network of collection points and recycling centers. Do not leave your waste in the street or on vacant land.

• Municipal collection points: Many local councils (Pradeshiya Sabhas) place bins or organize door‑to‑door collection rounds.
• Private recycling centers: Companies such as Eco Spindles, John Keells Recycling, or Clear (Pvt) Ltd take back plastics, glass, metals, and paper.
• Community programs: Initiatives like “Pilisaru” (national waste management program) encourage sorting and separate collection.

How to find the nearest center?
Contact your Divisional Secretariat (DS) or your municipal council. You can also search online for “recycling center near me + [your city]”.

🌱 Composting: Turn Organic Waste into Fertilizer

More than 50% of household waste is organic. By composting it, you cut in half what goes to landfill or burning.

• Home composting: In a corner of the garden, with a simple bin or an aerated pile. Mix greens (peelings) and browns (dry leaves).
• Apartment composting: Use a worm composter (vermicompost) or bokashi (fermentation).
• Benefits: You get free natural fertilizer for your plants, reduce methane emissions, and avoid toxic fumes.

🏭 Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) – Hold Companies Accountable

Sri Lankan law encourages extended producer responsibility. Manufacturers must take back part of their packaging.

• What this means for you: Favor brands that offer take‑back schemes or recyclable packaging.
• Reporting: If a company fails to meet its obligations, you can report it to the CEA (1981 or complaint@cea.lk).

🚫 What You Must NEVER Do

To make your efforts useful, absolutely avoid these bad practices:

• Never burn waste (even in a barrel or a corner of the garden).
• Never throw garbage into a drain, river, vacant lot, or the sea.
• Never mix hazardous waste (batteries, medicines, paints, oils) with household waste – bring them to special collection points.

📞 What If There Is No Collection Service in My Area?

If your area is not yet served, here is how to act:

• Contact your local authority (Pradeshiya Sabha) and ask for a collection service or a voluntary drop‑off point.
• Organize with neighbors: a small group can share transport to the nearest recycling center.
• Use the PlasticWatch Sri Lanka app to report the lack of service or the existence of illegal dumps – we will forward the information to the authorities.