On February 14, 2025, Janathakshan, in partnership with The Coca-Cola Foundation, officially launched the project “Strengthening Women and Youth Engagement in Informal Waste Management in Sri Lanka” at a special event held at the Ministry of Environment in Colombo. The event was graced by Deputy Minister of Environment Mr. Anton Jayakodi and attended by key stakeholders dedicated to advancing sustainable waste management and social equity.
The initiative, which will run from June 2024 to January 2026, spans four districts, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Matale, and Kurunegala, and focuses on empowering informal waste collectors, particularly women and youth, by improving their livelihoods while enhancing the country’s plastic waste recycling efforts.
A multi-pronged approach will be used to achieve this goal. The project will implement 290 awareness programs, reaching over 15,000 students, 3,000 community members, and 400 government officers to promote responsible plastic consumption and disposal. Simultaneously, five Plastic Collection Centers will be established and equipped with baling machines, and 40 e-bikes will be introduced to support efficient waste collection operations.
In a targeted move to formalize and uplift the informal sector, 45 informal waste collectors will receive specialized technical and entrepreneurial training, helping them to strengthen their roles in the waste management ecosystem. These efforts are designed not only to foster environmental sustainability but also to expand economic opportunities for marginalized communities.
Speaking at the launch, Ms. Thamari Senanayake, Director of Public Affairs at Coca-Cola Beverages Sri Lanka, reaffirmed The Coca-Cola Foundation’s commitment to supporting inclusive and sustainable waste management systems in Sri Lanka. She emphasized the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration in tackling the pressing challenges of plastic pollution.
The event also featured a presentation on key takeaways from the previous project, “Strengthening Informal Sector Waste Collection System for Improved Waste Management, Increased Collection and Recycling of PET Plastic in Sri Lanka.” An open discussion followed, exploring strategies to scale up the current project’s impact.
In addition to grassroots engagement, the initiative aims to influence policy development and social recognition for informal waste workers. A national study on the PET plastic ecosystem will inform future recommendations, while district- and provincial-level forums will work to ensure better representation and improved working conditions for waste collectors.
This project marks a critical step toward a more inclusive circular economy in Sri Lanka, one that values and uplifts the people who play a pivotal, yet often invisible, role in managing our waste.
