{
  "id": 7668595,
  "title": "Euro 110,000 research drive to tackle plastic waste in food sector",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/euro-110-000-research-drive-to-tackle-plastic-waste-in-food-sector",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-16T00:02:43.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Island Sri Lanka",
    "slug": "the-island-sri-lanka",
    "url": "http://island.lk/euro-110000-research-drive-to-tackle-plastic-waste-in-food-sector/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Sri Lanka's food sector is grappling with a growing plastic waste problem, but crucial knowledge gaps persist regarding the use, flow, and impact of single-use plastics (SUPs). A €110,000 research drive, funded by the European Union, aims to fill these gaps and inform policy, business practices, and sustainable choices. Three research grants from the CIRCULAR project, a three-year EU initiative, will support university-led studies from three faculties at two Sri Lankan universities. The studies will focus on selected food and beverage value chains in Colombo and Galle Districts, examining SUP use, flow, and impacts. Current data lacks detail on the sectors, sources, and types of plastics involved, hindering effective reduction strategies. The research will utilize data collection, waste-flow mapping, environmental and public health assessments, and life-cycle approaches to identify practical opportunities for reducing plastic use, promoting sustainable alternatives, and strengthening circular economy practices. The findings will contribute to a more targeted and evidence-based approach to addressing plastic waste in Sri Lanka's food sector, supporting a transition towards more sustainable production and consumption.",
  "summary": "Plastic waste is a growing challenge for Sri Lanka’s food sector, yet important gaps remain in understanding where and how single-use plastics are used, how they move through food value chains, and where interventions could have the greatest impact. Through the European Union-funded CIRCULAR project, new research will help address these gaps by generating evidence […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}