Plastic pollution is a growing global challenge that demands urgent, comprehensive, and collective action. In response, Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Environment (MOE) developed the National Action Plan on Plastic Waste Management, 2021–2030 (NAPPWM), grounded in the principles of the circular economy and the 3Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Achieving the ambitious targets of this plan requires more than technological advancements and regulatory measures—it calls for a transformative shift in lifestyles, consumption habits, and a community-driven approach to environmental stewardship.
This collaborative project highlights Galle City’s commitment to becoming a Plastic Waste-Free City, setting a powerful example of sustainable urban environmental management. By mobilizing local communities and engaging diverse sectors, the initiative demonstrates how locally driven actions, aligned with national and international frameworks, can deliver meaningful impact on the ground.
To share the practical insights and achievements of this project, we have produced a series of video documentaries. These serve as valuable educational and informational resources for other cities in Sri Lanka and globally, offering a replicable model for sustainable plastic waste management and inspiring collective action toward a greener future.

Introduction
The "Making Galle City Plastic Waste Free" project serves as a pioneering pilot initiative that seeks to create tangible change through education, local participation, and sectoral collaboration. It exemplifies the "think globally, act locally" approach, aligning national and international goals with grassroots action. Led by the MOE of Sri Lanka in collaboration with the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions (BRS Secretariat), IGES Centre Collaborating with UNEP on Environmental Technologies (IGES-CCET), the Human and Environment Link Progressive Organization (HELP-O), and with financial support from Norway, this initiative targets three core sectors: Education, Fishing, and Tourism. For more information: namely here, here and here.
Education Sector
In the Education Sector, three pilot schools in Galle City have become environmental stewards, actively involving students in a variety of activities, from beach clean-ups and awareness campaigns to innovative technology applications like CCTV monitoring of local plastic pollution. Events such as upcycling exhibitions showcase creative ways to transform plastic waste into new, useful items, engaging students in sustainable practices.
Central to these efforts are the Teacher Resource Books and Student Workbooks developed for this project, which incorporate Whole School Principles into the curriculum, nurturing critical thinking and problem-solving skills that empower students to address broader environmental issues. Through science-based workshops and field visits to recycling centers, students gain hands-on experience, making sustainability a foundational element of their education.
Fishing Sector
The Fishing Sector addresses the pressing issue of plastic pollution in marine environments, specifically targeting abandoned fishing nets—a significant hazard for marine life. The project incentivizes local fishermen to retrieve and return discarded nets, offering financial rewards to encourage participation. Collected nets undergo a meticulous cleaning and drying process to ensure quality, enabling their repurposing in local applications like agricultural fencing or energy recovery.
Future plans include exploring partnerships with recycling businesses to upcycle these nets into value-added products, supporting a circular economy where waste materials are transformed and reintegrated. This initiative not only mitigates environmental impact but also strengthens community livelihoods by creating new revenue streams.
Tourism Sector
Galle City’s Tourism Sector is advancing responsible tourism through targeted actions in three pilot hotels. These hotels are implementing plastic-reducing measures, such as replacing single-use plastics with reusable containers and sustainable materials, setting new industry standards. One notable innovation is the installation of microfiber filters in laundry systems to capture microplastics before they reach the ocean, highlighting the hotels' commitment to marine protection.
Management teams received specialized training on the installation and maintenance of these filters to maximize their effectiveness. Additionally, a Hotel Guidebook on Plastic Waste Minimization was created, featuring actionable strategies for plastic reduction that can inspire hotels throughout the region. Guests are encouraged to adopt sustainable practices during their stay, contributing actively to Galle’s conservation efforts.