Sri Lanka Institute of Packaging Marks World Environment Day 2025 with Renewed Commitment to Sustainability

On the occasion of World Environment Day 2025, the Sri Lanka Institute of Packaging (SLIP) proudly reaffirms its unwavering dedication to promoting sustainable packaging practices and supporting both national and global environmental objectives. Observed annually on June 5, World Environment Day stands as the United Nations’ flagship campaign to raise awareness and inspire action to protect our planet.

This year’s theme, “Ending Plastic Pollution,” underscores the urgent need to rethink how packaging is designed, produced, consumed, and managed. In response, SLIP continues to lead the charge within Sri Lanka’s packaging industry by championing innovation, education, and collaborative efforts as pillars of its sustainability efforts.

Sustainability is no longer a choice, it is a responsibility,” said Mr. Thusith Wijesinghe, President of SLIP. “We are committed to driving industry-wide transformation through education, policy engagement, and environmentally responsible innovation. Strategic alignment with the new Environment Minister and senior government officials will be essential as we prepare for forthcoming plastic pollution regulations.

The SLIP President emphasized that tackling plastic waste requires a reliable collection and recycling system. Current efforts are hindered by inefficient waste management. He urged the government to implement structured mechanisms like Producer Responsibility Organizations (PROs) in partnership with the private sector to boost recycling, reduce pollution, and support a circular economy.

Recent Initiatives and Ongoing Contributions - Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Workshop – October 2024. In partnership with the Sri Lanka Food Processors Association (SLFPA), SLIP organized a landmark stakeholder workshop on the upcoming Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Law. Held at BMICH, Colombo, the event convened over 200 participants including packaging manufacturers, brand owners, and regulatory authorities to explore the law’s implications and prepare the industry gear up for compliance.

Strategic Collaborations-SLIP actively collaborates with the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) and international development partners such as JICA and UNIDO. These partnerships support initiatives in sustainable packaging, technical knowledge exchange, and policy development, driving collective action toward responsible packaging solutions across Sri Lanka. Further, SLIP is also the apex body of the World Packaging Organization and the Asian Packaging Foundation who they work in alignment with to ensure global practices are followed.

SLIP’s Role in the Clean Sri Lanka Project: The Clean Sri Lanka Project is a nationwide initiative led by the Presidential Secretariat and supported by major government authorities, focusing on advancing social, ethical, and environmental sustainability. Through this partnership, SLIP conducts targeted awareness programs on the area of the Environment in terms of packaging where the promotion of eco-friendly packaging practices are aligned with national environmental goals. These efforts help bridge the gap between policy and implementation, strengthening environmental stewardship and advancing the circular economy.

SLIP is committed to driving sustainable change in Sri Lanka’s packaging industry by promoting innovation, environmental policies, and awareness. SLIP urges manufacturers, businesses, policymakers, and consumers to unite against plastic pollution to build a cleaner, sustainable future.