In a significant step towards sustainable plastic waste management, Island Climate Initiative (ICI) officially launched GP Certified, Sri Lanka’s first certification mechanism for high-quality recycled plastics. The launch event, held in Colombo, brought together key stakeholders—including FMCG brands, recyclers, policymakers, and environmental advocates—to introduce the future of sustainable packaging in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka generates thousands of tonnes of plastic waste annually, yet only 4% is recycled. Most plastic waste is either burned or dumped into landfills, polluting oceans and waterways. GP Certified aims to change this by promoting better recycling practices and encouraging FMCG companies to use recycled plastics in their packaging. This will reduce reliance on imported virgin plastics and prevent more plastic waste from entering the environment.

The GP certification provides recyclers with clear industry guidelines to ensure plastics are recycled to higher standards under safe, ethical, and environmentally responsible conditions. This allows FMCG companies to confidently and safely use recycled plastics in their packaging, supporting a more sustainable circular economy.

A key feature of GP Certified is its certification label, which will be displayed on FMCG packaging made with verified recycled plastic. This label guarantees that the packaging meets strict standards across three key areas: safety, ensuring that recycled materials comply with health and hygiene requirements; quality, verifying durability and usability in packaging applications; and sustainability, promoting ethical sourcing and responsible waste management.

This initiative will also help recyclers adopt best practices, provide better working conditions, and drive demand for recycled plastics in Sri Lanka’s FMCG sector.