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Plastic Pandemic: The ecological fallout of COVID-19 and policy options for Sri Lanka

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by Ruwan Samaraweera

The lockdowns introduced in 2020 to curb the spread of COVID-19 saw the narrative “nature is healing” gain prominence. However, the notion that nature, in the absence of people, was healing fizzled out fairly quickly with the emergence of fresh environmental challenges, most notably, the resurgence of single-use plastics. In fact, in the months following the lockdowns, reliance on plastics grew exponentially, with the scale of the negative environmental impacts far outweighing initial gains such as reduced air and noise pollution. This blog examines the ecological fallout of the pandemic and suggests policy options for Sri Lanka to avert the looming environmental disaster.

The Plastic Pandemic

Plastics have several applications and offer undeniable benefits to consumers and producers due to specific, inherent properties. They are hygienic, lightweight, flexible and anti-corrosive. As such, plastics are among the most extensively-produced material globally with 359 million tonnes of plastics produced in 2018 alone. However, plastics have become a severe environmental concern due to haphazard disposal. Plastics include consumables like plastic bags, straws, cups, bottles etc., which are thrown away after being used just once, referred to as single-use plastics. Worldwide consumption of plastic bags ranges from 1 to 5 trillion annually, and almost 160,000 plastic bags are consumed per second globally.

Without even being a large consumer of plastics globally, Sri Lanka generates more than 5 million kilograms of plastic waste per day, where the per capita daily contribution is nearly 0.5 kg. Sri Lanka is already struggling to cope with the amount of plastic waste generated each year. Unless concrete measures are taken to alter the current manufacturing methods and consumption patterns of plastics, the situation could result in irreversible damage to the environment. The global threat of the COVID-19 pandemic makes the problem (ex: Styrofoam, aluminium cans, polystyrene etc.) even more challenging.

An Ugly Resurgence

The demand for plastic by medical and packaging sectors is increasing sharply compared to pre-pandemic conditions (Figure 1). For instance, an estimated 89 million medical masks, 76 million gloves and 1.6 million goggles are required monthly in the battle against the pandemic, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). As a result, researchers expect a 53.4% market growth for disposable facemasks over 2020-2027. The disposable facemasks are produced using polymers such as polypropylene (PP), polyurethane, polyacrylonitrile, polystyrene, polycarbonate, polyethylene (LDPE), or polyester, which are potential sources of microplastics.

Estimates illustrate that the demand for disposable syringes and plastic containers that store vaccines will be increased with nationwide vaccination efforts against COVID-19. As a result, the global market will experience a 7% compound annual growth rate and reach a value of USD 14.4 billion by 2030. Moreover, the demand for other personal protective equipment like face shields made from PP, LDPE gowns, vinyl gloves made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) will increase sharply along with the plastic packaging material. Thus, the production and consumption of PP, LDPE and PVC material will exhibit an increasing trend.

Lockdowns and resulting online shopping and home delivery can escalate the demand for plastic, which is reflected by the accumulation of plastic wastes, especially from food packaging. In Thailand, plastic waste rose by 15% during the pandemic, primarily due to food packaging waste, resulting from tripled food delivery demand. During the pandemic, many governments worldwide banned the use of reusable cups and food utensils due to safety reasons since reusable commodities could be contagious. Scholars also predict a drastic increase in medical waste that includes single-use plastic and other environmentally problematic material.

For instance, in Hubei province, China, medical waste generation increased sharply, and by 9 March 2020, the country collected 468.9 tonnes of medical waste related to the pandemic. A more significant proportion of that waste is comprised of single-use plastics. Wuhan’s medical waste exceeded the maximum incineration capacity of 46 tonnes/day due to a dramatic rise in waste accumulation up to 240 tonnes/day. Hence, despite their detrimental impacts, managing the pandemic is linked with single-use plastics and other environmentally-harmful material.

 

Addressing environmental, economic, health, and socio-cultural issues related to single-use plastics and other damaging material requires identifying the most problematic single-use plastic and other material, evaluating the scale of the problem, identifying significant sources of pollution and potential impacts of mismanagement on the environment, human and animal health, and the economy. Various methods can reduce the harmful effects of single-use plastics and other environmentally problematic materials. However, the availability of alternatives is crucial to cut down the use effectively.

Voluntary reduction strategies

One of the key instruments for single-use plastic is voluntary reduction strategies. Those are based on consumption patterns, consumer and producer choices upon an increased understanding.

Awareness creation

Voluntary adjustments are facilitated by awareness creation among stakeholder groups which are a gradual and transformational process that changes consumer and producer behaviour.

Policy instruments

Policy instruments can be classified as regulatory and economic (market-based and a combination of regulatory and financial) instruments.

The principal legislation governing plastic pollution in Sri Lanka is the National Environmental Act No 47 of 1980, where Section 32 comprises the manufacture, sale and use of plastic and polythene. As previously mentioned, several amendments were made to the act to address the challenges in managing plastic waste. Lobbying from local industry and pressures from major exporting countries, and availability of alternatives remain significant challenges in implementing bans. However, as discussed earlier, single-use plastics have the lowest recyclability and highest disposable rates. Therefore, implementing a combined approach of levies, bans, and extended producer responsibility (EPR) wherever necessary would enhance the positive impacts.

Link to blog: https://www.ips.lk/talkingeconomics/2021/12/07/plastic-pandemic-the-ecological-fallout-of-covid-19-and-policy-options-for-sri-lanka/

Ruwan Samaraweera is a Research Officer at IPS, with a background in entrepreneurial agriculture. He holds a Bachelor’s in Export Agriculture from Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka. His research interests are in environmental economics, agricultural economics, macro-economic policy and planning, labour and migration, and poverty and development policy. (Talk to Ruwan – ruwan@ips.lk)



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Political risks to Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring agreement recede: Fitch Ratings

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President Anura Kumara Dissanayake holds talks with the IMF delegation on Oct. 4, 2024

Fitch Ratings Hong Kong says that the Sri Lankan authorities’ confirmation that they endorse the targets set under the country’s IMF programme, and intend to implement debt restructuring based on the terms agreed with international sovereign bondholders in September, reduces risks to the debt treatment process associated with the outcome of the presidential election on 21 September.

The election of Anura Kumara Dissanayake, of the opposition Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), as president in September had increased policy uncertainty, raising the risk that the government could launch challenges to key elements of the IMF programme, potentially delaying Sri Lanka’s foreign currency debt restructuring. However, the Ministry of Finance announced on 4 October that consultations with the IMF and Sri Lanka’s Official Credit Committee had been successfully concluded, suggesting that any policy changes are unlikely to threaten the IMF programme or the debt treatment agreement-in principle reached under the previous administration.

The Ministry also indicated that the consultation had agreed that the preliminary agreement adhered to the principle of comparability of treatment between official creditors and bondholders, and was compatible with the IMF programme’s terms.

” We view this as a positive sign for the restructuring process’s prospects. Fitch has rated Sri Lanka’s Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) at ‘RD’ (Restricted Default) since May 2022, and the government is not currently servicing its foreign-currency debt. We may move the IDR out of ‘RD’ upon the sovereign’s completion of a commercial debt restructuring that we judge to have normalised the relationship with the international financial community. Sri Lanka’s postdefault rating would depend upon our assessment of its credit profile. Fitch upgraded Sri Lanka’s LongTerm Local-Currency IDR to ‘CCC-‘ in September 2023, reflecting the completion of the local-currency portion of Sri Lanka’s domestic debt optimisation plan. We expect Sri Lanka’s government debt to remain relatively high, even if debt restructuring is completed successfully along the lines laid out in the agreements with its creditors,” Fitch says.

“The IMF forecasts Sri Lanka’s gross general government debt/GDP ratio to decline only gradually to about 103% of GDP by 2028, from about 116% in 2022, after building in a local- and foreign-currency debt restructuring. The government’s revenue/GDP ratio remains low, but the effects of several revenue-raising measures passed since May 2022 are beginning to be felt. Revenue collection in 7M24 rose by about 43% yoy, well above the nominal GDP growth rate of 9.5% in 1H24. Our baseline projections assume an increase in revenue/GDP, from 11.4% in 2023 to 15.5% in 2026, reflecting the measures already in place. However, these forecasts could be affected, if the new government introduces fiscal reforms. The IMF programme’s targets offer some flexibility for changes in the government’s fiscal policy approach.

‘The president’s capacity to push through policy changes may depend partly on the outcome of the parliamentary election on 14 November. The JVP and its allies had relatively few seats in the outgoing legislature, though the trends evident in the recent presidential election suggest that there will probably be large changes in the make-up of the new chamber.

‘The economy more broadly remains on a recovering trend. Real GDP growth was 5.0% yoy in 1H24, after contracting by 7.3% during 1H23. We expect the economy to expand by 3.9% in 2024 and to average growth of 3.6% over 2025-2026. External liquidity stresses have also eased, with foreign-exchange reserves hitting USD6.0 billion in August 2024, up almost 66% yoy. Nevertheless, the speed of the recovery in reserves is likely to be set back when Sri Lanka resumes external debt-service payments,” Fitch notes.

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Rotary fights breast cancer with NCCP through early detection and prevention

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October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month—a time to come together not only to acknowledge a disease that affects millions but to celebrate the resilience of women and the power of early detection to save lives.With a long-standing partnership of 20 years with the National Cancer Control Programme, Rotary Club of Colombo members came out in their numbers to create awareness and joined the recent NCCP Breast Cancer Awareness Walk on October 2nd.

It is a time to reaffirm our collective responsibility toward the well-being of our mothers, sisters and daughters and those thousands of women who may one day be struck down by this disease if not detected early.

Rotary has been a beacon of hope in the fight against breast cancer, working hand-in-hand with the Ministry of Health for 20 years since 2004. This partnership with the National Cancer Control Programme has been instrumental in addressing breast cancer, which remains the leading cause of death among women aged 40 to 55 years.

Rotary’s journey began 20 years ago with the sole focus on screening and early detection and prevention to fight the rising incidence of cancer. Together with NCCP they set up a dedicated Cancer Screening and Early Detection Centre focused on breast cancer, first in Colombo and then extended to other cities to ensure no woman is left behind. These regional Breast Cancer Early Detection Clinics will bring lifesaving services closer to those who need them most.

Rotary Club of Colombo has led the way in the screening and early detection of breast cancer and invested in state-of-the-art technology at the main Cancer Early Detection Centre in Narahenpita run by NCCP, including installing a 3D tomosynthesis Digital Mammography Machine. This machine provides highly accurate screenings for breast cancer, five days a week, entirely free of charge. This represents Rotary’s unwavering commitment to ensuring early detection, which is key to improving breast cancer survival rates.

Rotary Club of Colombo was also a pioneer in introducing HPV DNA testing at the Centre for cervical cancer screening —an initiative that highlights their approach to tackling women’s cancers holistically.

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Pepsi® unveils its new logo with street art murals in Sri Lanka

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(Left to Right - Sandeep Kumar, Country Head, Varun Beverages Limited (VBL) - Sri Lanka, Manmohan Paul, Chief Operating Officer, Varun Beverages Limited (VBL) – South India & Sri Lanka, Tanu Sinha - Head of Design, PepsiCo India & South Asia, Anuj Goyal, Associate Director - Marketing, Area Countries, PepsiCo and Munish Dhawan, Country Head, Area Countries, PepsiCo)

Honouring its 125 years long legacy, Pepsi®, a brand that has been at the center of global pop culture, unveiled its new identity in Sri Lanka through its groundbreaking campaign, ‘Pepsi® Street Kala’. The ‘Pepsi® Street Kala’ campaign represents a groundbreaking moment for the brand, introducing its revamped brand identity through public art for the first time globally. With 17 murals featured across the country, this initiative is an attempt to democratize art through dynamic experiences that invite public interaction and make art and culture more accessible.

Pepsi® celebrated this milestone with a spectacular launch event at the iconic Lotus Tower – South Asia’s tallest self-supported tower. The event brought its bold identity to life through immersive experiences, captivating the audience from start to finish. Media, influencers and individuals from the art community in Sri Lanka enjoyed a sensory feast, with the aura of Pepsi® resonating throughout, showcasing the brand’s vibrant spirit. The highlight of the evening was the illumination of the Lotus Tower in Colombo with Pepsi®’s new bold colors, transforming the city’s skyline.

Speaking on the launch, Anuj Goyal, Associate Director, Area-Countries Region, PepsiCo said, “Pepsi has consistently been at the forefront of youth culture and with this initiative, we are extending that dedication to the streets of Sri Lanka. The new Pepsi logo represents a bold new chapter for Pepsi, bringing it to life through street art with the ‘Pepsi® Street Kala’ campaign – enabling us to expand the horizons of visual narrative. The grand launch event, including the striking projection of our brand colors at the iconic Lotus Tower and the murals altogether, are a celebration of youth, creativity, and the spirit of Pepsi.”

Also commenting on the launch, Sandeep Kumar, Country Head at Varun Beverages Limited (VBL) – Sri Lanka also added, “We are excited to bring the ‘Pepsi® Street Kala’ campaign to life in Sri Lanka, showcasing the refreshed brand identity of Pepsi. This campaign and today’s event celebrates creativity, culture, and the unbreakable bond Pepsi shares with the people of Sri Lanka. We’re proud to be part of this milestone that reflects the vibrant energy of the Pepsi consumers, while integrating public art experiences in their routine commute.”

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