INSEE Ecocycle's unique co-processing solution tackles non-recyclable plastic waste, offering Sri Lanka a sustainable future

Sri Lanka faces an escalating environmental challenge with non-recyclable plastic waste in Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) streams.

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Traditional disposal methods, open burning and landfilling, pose significant health and environmental risks, from toxic emissions to greenhouse gas generation and harmful leachate formation, that contaminates soil and groundwater.

Due to significant lapses in source segregation, MSW is often collected as mixed waste, creating many challenges for proper waste management. The complexity demands innovative approaches to handling diverse waste streams while maintaining environmental standards and regulatory compliance.

The magnitude of the problem is staggering. Sri Lanka generates approximately 7,000-8,000 tonnes of solid waste daily¹, with the Colombo district alone contributing 1,200-1,500 tonnes². An estimated 262 open dumpsites³ They are scattered across the country, lacking proper lining, leachate treatment, or gas capture methods, leading to uncontrolled air, soil, and water pollution.

The crisis has arisen due to multiple systemic failures, including inadequate source segregation, as recyclable, organic, hazardous, and non-recyclable materials get mixed, making it difficult to process. Though Sri Lanka has some recycling capacity for PET bottles and rigid plastics, low-value, contamination of the recyclables with other materials, and the composite nature of the packaging make recycling using existing technologies impossible. The 2017 Meethotamulla landfill collapse tragically highlighted the severity of unmanaged municipal solid waste.

Aggravating these challenges, only 40-50% of waste is officially collected⁴ Low public awareness about proper disposal, including open burning of plastics, continues to exacerbate the problem. Wildlife faces particular threats, with elephants ingesting plastics from dumpsites, leading to fatal blockages.