PILGRIMAGE
WASTE MANAGEMENT INITIATIVE
MILLIONS IN PLASTIC BOTTLE WASTE IS GENERATED FROM THESE GATHERINGS
With a lack of infrastructure and eco-education, Sri Lanka often sees thousands of carelessly discarded bottles daily in these events. This tarnishes the holy significance of our religious sites and contributes to the global plastic waste problem.
WE BUILT COLLECTION BINS
IN ALL THESE LOCATIONS
After a survey of the issue, we realized that the root of the problem stemmed from a lack of proper collection areas. Without these, even the most eco-conscious person has no place to put their waste. We fixed that by creating and maintaining collection bins at each religious site.
WASTE MANAGEMENT INITIATIVES TO PROTECT THE NATURAL BEAUTY AND SPIRITUALITY OF SRI LANKA
ECO SPINDLES CONCLUDES 8TH ANNUAL KATARAGAMA WASTE MANAGEMENT PROJECT
August 20, 2022
Eco Spindles (Private) Limited, Sri Lanka’s largest plastics recycler, recently concluded its 8th annual Kataragama Waste Management Project by collecting 43,590 PET (polyethylene terephthalate) waste plastic bottles discarded at the scared pilgrim sites of Ruhunu Kataragama Maha Dewalaya, Sella Kataragama Temple, Wedihiti Kanda and the surrounding areas
The waste management project commenced on the 29th of July and concluded on 12th of August, and engaged 60 volunteers from the ‘Soba Parisara Thurunu Samjaya,’ a local youth club in the area, 20 volunteers from Eco Spindles and its project partners – the Kataragama Pradesiya Sabawa, and the Ruhunu Kataragama Maha Dewalaya.
Since starting the Kataragama Waste Management Project in 2014, Eco Spindles has collected 555,990 PET plastic bottles, equivalent to 18,533 kilos to date. The project aims to educate Sri Lankans about responsible recycling, particularly those who visit Kataragama during the festival.
Further, Eco Spindles operates a network of collectors in Kataragama, who play an integral part in collecting the plastic that is discarded.The company continues to support these entrepreneurs, who have based their livelihoods and businesses on collecting plastics by buying the accumulated plastic waste.
Read more –
SIRI PADA (ADAM'S PEAK) WASTE MANAGEMENT PROJECT
5371kg, of PET recycled in 2019
Sri Pada is the most sacred and popular Sri Lankan destination for citizens and tourists. Located within the Peak Wilderness sanctuary – which provides a large amount of endemic biodiversity – Sri Pada is the spring for many major rivers in Sri Lanka.
Project Partners: Link Natural Product Private Ltd., the Maskeliya Divisional Council, and the Nallathanniya WildLife Department.
KATARAGAMA WASTE MANAGEMENT PROJECT
4275kg, of PET recycled in 2019
Kataragama is a sacred destination for Sri Lankan and Indian pilgrims, with peak season seeing thousands of travelers. It is located within an environmentally vital ecosystem including Menik River, Yala National Park, and Lunugamvehera National Park.
Project Partners: The Kataragama Soba Mithuru Youth Club, the Kataragama Divisional Council, the CEA, and Coca Cola Beverages Private Ltd.
MUNNESWARAM WASTE MANAGEMENT PROJECT
903kg, of PET recycled in 2019
We started the Munneswaram project in 2019, and were able to successfully start the recycling efforts in this temple.
Project Partners: Halawatha Medical Health Officer and Coca Cola Beverages Private Ltd.
THALAWILA WASTE MANAGEMENT PROJECT
3702kg, of PET recycled in 2019
Thalawila St. Anne’s Church is one of the most sacred destinations for the Christian pilgrims. It is located in the region of Kalpitiya coastal area which is an attractive beach tourist destination related to the Puttalam lagoon and Dutch bay. This region is also a habitat for ocean mammals, mangroves, coral reefs, sea grasses, resident and migrant bird species, and many more.
Project Partners: Puttalam Medical Health Office and Coca Cola Beverages Private Ltd.
OUTCOME
20 TONNES OF PLASTIC BOTTLES RECYCLED ANNUALLY
EVEN THOUGH THE COLLECTION NETWORK TOOK TIME AND EFFORT TO
MAINTAIN, WE ARE HAPPY TO KNOW THAT OUR EFFORTS BEAR FRUIT.
OUR HOLY SITES ARE CLEANER AND THE PLASTIC WASTE IS GIVEN A SECOND
LIFE TO CONTRIBUTE FURTHER TO OUR SOCIETY.
