Plastic crates compulsory from 1 May

By Shezna Shums

The use of plastic boxes from 1 May will be compulsory in the storage, transportation and distribution of locally produced fresh vegetables and fruits.

The decision to introduce plastic boxes was made in the early part of this year. However due to the inability for all persons involved in the fresh vegetables and fruits industry to acquire the boxes, the government extended the deadline.

However by 1 May all farmers, distributors, middlemen, traders and sellers will have to store, transport and display their vegetables and fruits in these plastic boxes.

Consumer Affairs Authority, Chairman, Rumy Marzook said that the use of plastic boxes will be compulsory from 1 May.

Phoenix Industries Ltd, Sales Manager-crates, Muditha Silva said that there were about 200,000 plastic crates in circulation in the country.

“This year alone we have supplied over 100,000 plastic crates,” he added.

Silva further highlighted that Phoenix Industries Ltd. has in stock close to 400,000 plastic crates. But there has not been any clearance from the government for the use of these crates. Silva said that they were awaiting the government to come up with its subsidy scheme for these crates before they are requested.

“Even if there is a request for a large number of crates we will have no problem in supplying them,” noted Silva.

Plastic crates come in various sizes, and previously when we supplied to a government body crates of various sizes, a crate cost between Rs. 400 to Rs. 800 while the government provided a subsidy of 50 percent, “Now, although this subsidy will not be as big as 50%, definitely there will be a subsidy from the government.”

Speaking to the Daily FT Manning Market Association Secretary Gamini Handunge said “All traders do not use plastic crates to store or transport their vegetable and fruits although one or two may be using them.”

Narahenpita Economic Centre Manager, Jude Ranasinghe stated that “About 50 percent of the traders were using plastic crates when they transport or store their fresh vegetables and fruits.”

The government’s decision to introduce plastic boxes to store vegetables and fruits was made with the intention of reducing the wastage of vegetables and fruits. It was stated that over 25 percent of fresh vegetables and fruits were wasted due to their being damaged during transport when they are packed in gunny bags.

The General Treasury had also allocated Rs. 103 million to purchase plastic containers for vegetable transportation.

According to a statement from the Treasury over 150,000 containers have already been provided to the farmers, collectors of vegetables and the traders who are engaged in direct contribution to the trade, and further arrangements had been made to provide adequate plastic containers in due course.

Initially when plastic boxes were introduced, the Ministry of Agriculture had provided a number of crates to those in the agricultural sector, and the farmers had informed the Ministry of Agriculture that the boxes should come with lids so that pilfering could be reduced.