Like many nations in Asia, Sri Lanka has seen a surge in single-use plastics and limited infrastructure to manage them. The consequences have become starkly evident: plastic waste clogs rivers, endangers marine ecosystems, and threatens human health.

In a significant step toward tackling one of the planet’s most urgent environmental crises, Sri Lanka has secured a $1.1 million grant from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and The Coca-Cola Foundation (TCCF) to establish a robust framework for plastic waste management across seven local authorities in the Colombo District. This effort is part of a larger $15 million multi-country initiative aimed at curbing plastic pollution in Asia and the Pacific.

The initiative – formally known as the Management of Plastics Waste and Circular Interventions on Plastics in South, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific, or the TCCF Plastics Circularity Project – is a three-year programme designed to improve plastic waste handling, promote recycling, and reduce plastic leakage into the environment through community-driven, circular economy models.

“Sri Lanka is one of nine countries selected for this regional project, and this funding will enable us to build on existing efforts and demonstrate more sustainable plastic waste practices at the local level,” said UNDP Sri Lanka Deputy Resident Representative Malin Herwig at the project’s inception workshop. “Plastic pollution is one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time, and addressing it requires collaborative, scalable action.”

Growing Environmental Concern

The targeted local authorities – Moratuwa Municipal Council, Mount Lavinia–Dehiwala Municipal Council, Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte Municipal Council, Maharagama Urban Council, Panadura Urban Council, Kesbewa Urban Council, and Boralesgamuwa Urban Council – all direct their waste to the Karadiyana Waste Management Centre in the Western Province. The centre is set to become a model for environmentally sound and efficient waste processing under the new project.

“The Karadiyana Centre has long served as a hub for waste management,” said Eng. Nishantha Pushapakumara, Director of the National Solid Waste Management Centre. “Now, it will showcase modern plastic waste solutions – turning plastic from a pollutant into a resource through innovation, collaboration, and inclusive local action.”

Sri Lanka’s involvement in the regional initiative comes amid growing environmental concern about the country’s increasing plastic waste. Like many nations in Asia, Sri Lanka has seen a surge in single-use plastics and limited infrastructure to manage them. The consequences have become starkly evident: plastic waste clogs rivers, endangers marine ecosystems, and threatens human health.

16 of World’s Top 20 Polluting Rivers

Globally, Asia is responsible for a disproportionate share of ocean-bound plastic. Sixteen of the world’s top 20 polluting rivers run through the region and contribute over two-thirds of all plastic that enters the world’s oceans each year. The urgency to address this crisis is reflected in the multi-country approach adopted by UNDP and TCCF.

The larger $15 million project spans Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, India, Maldives, Nepal, Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam. It aims to collect at least 55,610 metric tons of plastic and directly benefit 72,100 individuals, many of whom are informal waste workers. By promoting sustainable recycling models and improving working conditions, the programme also seeks to bolster livelihoods while addressing environmental degradation.

“The circular economy model encourages us to view waste as a resource, not just a problem,” said Pushapakumara. “This project embeds that thinking into local systems – creating long-term value from plastic through responsible management and innovation.”

Vital Lifeline

Oversight for Sri Lanka’s component of the project will be handled by a National Advisory Committee, jointly chaired by the Secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government, and the UNDP Sri Lanka Resident Representative. The committee will guide the planning, implementation, and scaling of plastic waste interventions, ensuring alignment with national policy frameworks.

At the project launch, local government officials and development partners convened to identify key roadblocks and explore policy innovations. Stakeholders discussed how existing infrastructure and regulations could be leveraged to support the project’s ambitious goals, including replicable waste segregation, improved collection systems, and strengthened community engagement.

“We’re not starting from zero,” said Herwig. “Sri Lanka already has valuable experience in waste management. What we’re doing is connecting the dots – linking policy, technology, and people to create a system that works.”

The partnership draws on international expertise and funding from the UN Peace and Development Fund (UNPDF), with additional contributions from the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) and the Government of the People’s Republic of China. At the heart of the initiative is a shared vision: a plastic-free ocean and healthier communities supported by sustainable waste management systems.

Reimagining Waste as a Resource

For local authorities like those in the Colombo District, the project provides a vital lifeline. Municipal councils and urban centers have long struggled with the logistics and costs of waste disposal, particularly plastic. Without effective waste segregation and recycling infrastructure, much of the country’s plastic ends up in open dumps or waterways, compounding public health and environmental risks.

“We see this as more than a technical project,” said Herwig. “It’s an opportunity to empower local communities, build new green jobs, and foster a culture of environmental stewardship.”

The initiative also underscores a growing recognition of the role that public-private partnerships must play in solving global sustainability challenges. Coca-Cola, one of the world’s largest producers of plastic beverage containers, has come under criticism in the past for its role in the plastic waste crisis. Through its foundation, the company is now funding programs that aim to reduce its environmental footprint and help countries manage waste more effectively.

“Initiatives like the TCCF Plastics Circularity Project offer a chance to drive transformative change,” said Pushapakumara. “But success depends on collective action—from government, private sector, civil society, and most importantly, from the communities directly impacted by plastic pollution.”

As the project moves from planning to implementation, Sri Lanka’s efforts could serve as a blueprint for other countries in the region. With the Karadiyana Waste Management Centre as a demonstration site, the government hopes to inspire broader reforms in waste policy and practice across the island.

For now, the $1.1 million grant represents more than just funding – it’s a step toward reimagining waste as a resource, and a future where Sri Lanka’s coasts, rivers, and communities are no longer choked by plastic.