Polluter pays under solid waste management policy

By Wijitha Nakkawita

Sri Lanka’s solid waste management policy objectives were discussed at the Solid Waste Association World Congress held recently at Daegu Korea by the Chairman Environmental Authority Chairman Charitha Herath who delivered the conference’s keynote address.

The opportunity afforded to deliver the address at the IWSA World Congress enabled Herath to explain the methods used in the country in solid waste management, ensuring social responsibility, minimizing environmental impact, reducing waste generation by re-using resources, recycling and promoting sustainable production. In this regard he said building capacity of local government bodies using market based approach like “the polluter pays” in enforcing the provisions of the environmental laws of the country, CEA official sources said.

Herath pointed out that there were certain constraints like insufficient financial resources in implementing solid waste management, public and political interferences due to lack of awareness and civic responsibility and inadequate provisions in the existing laws, they said.

He presented the Pilisaru National Waste Management to the conference showcasing small, medium and large scale composting plants, construction of bio gas units, logistical support to sustain these projects like supplying household composting bins and also explained the CEA’s role in supporting engineered sanitary landfills, sorting out and recycling plastic, metal and electronic waste.
Charitha Herath who is a senior lecturer at the Peradeniya University is released on secondment to the CEA as its chairman.

http://www.nation.lk/2011/12/04/eyefea6.htm (3rd item on page)