Sunder Observer
Date : 25-05-2008
By Ananda Kannangara
ananda@sundayobserver.lk
The first consignment of 100,000 biodegradable and compostable bags, manufactured by a local industrialist, Plastic Pakaging (Pvt) Ltd will be exported to the United Kingdom on May 27.
Plastic Pakaging (Pvt) Ltd, Managing Director Mervyn Dias said these bags are 100 per cent polythene free and manufactured from a biodegradable resin, specially imported from a USA based industry in India.
Experiments on the resin, carried out by the manufacturer have revealed that these bags which are environment friendly do not perish after being discarded.
The bags degrade fast and do not pollute the environment.
Dias also demonstrated the manufacturing process of these biodegradable and compostable bags at his factory at Sri Dharmarama Mawatha, Ratmalana.
“According to the buyer in the UK, these bags which are 17×17 in size and light weight are used to put garbage and waste, by local environmental bodies, households and city cleaners”.
He said unlike other normal polythene bags (Silisili bags), currently used by Sri Lankan households, no stench emanates from whatever contents that are inside these compostable bags, since moisture does not remain in the bag and it disappears within seconds.
In addition to the UK market, he has also received orders from Malta and expects to export the products to other countries too in the future.
Asked whether he had any plans to supply the product for local consumption, he said he expects orders from local buyers too.
Dias also said that at present 45 workers are employed in his factory at Ratmalana and hopes to expand the business by recruiting more workers in the future