‘GP Certified’ to revolutionise plastic recycling

From left: Lakwa Recycling Managing Director Rajitha Mendis, EcoPoly Director Chullaka Hapuarachchi, Royal Plastic Company CEO Chanuka Perera, Island Climate Initiative Director Nishantha De Silva, Antler Group of Companies Chairman Ashani Jayasinghe, Island Climate Initiative Board Director - Finance and Investments Sudarshan Ahangama, Managing Director Chaminda Rajapakse, Jaykay Marketing Services Head of Category Management Ravindu De Silva, Hemas Consumer Brands Manager, Packaging Development Randima Gajanayaka, Phoenix Industries Chief Operations Officer Buditha Lekamarachchi and Island Climate Initiative Communications Executive Pulani Kandage

From left: Central Environmental Authority Solid Waste Management Unit Assistant Director Nadeeka Niroshani, World Bank Senior Operations Officer Asela Dissanayake, PLEASE Project Project Director Anjalie Devaraja, and Ecolady Company Proprietor Nirmala Priyadarshani 

In a significant step towards sustainable plastic waste management, Island Climate Initiative (ICI) has 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 tons of plastic waste annually, yet only 4% is recycled. Most plastic waste is either burned or dumped into landfills, polluting our 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 less plastic waste will enter 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 means FMCG companies can confidently and safely use recycled plastics in their packaging, supporting a more sustainable circular economy.

Speaking at the launch event, ICI Managing Director Chaminda Rajapakse said: “With GP Certified, plastic waste becomes something useful – empowering our communities, strengthening local businesses, saving foreign exchange, and protecting our island’s natural beauty.”

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.

Chullaka Hapuarachchi of Ecopoly Ltd. said: “The GP Certified initiative is a game-changer for the recycling industry. It ensures that the plastics we process meet high standards for safety and quality, which will not only boost consumer confidence but also increase demand for recycled plastics from the FMCG sector.” 

GP Certified is funded by the PLEASE Project, implemented by the South Asia Cooperative Environment Programme, supported by the World Bank, with implementing support from UNOPS.