3rd URS-ZEM - 2017
Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://repository.kln.ac.lk/handle/123456789/16655
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Item Case study on usage of polythene bags in super markets of Colombo metropolitan and finding an alternative(Department of Zoology and Environmental Management, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2017) Athukorala, U.K.; Gamagedara, D.; Gayangani, E.M.; Chrishanthan, J.E.; Bandara, W.A.R.T.W.Polyethylene bags since their emergence in the 1940s, is an incredibly useful, highly convenient, strong and inexpensive, to both customers and businesses as a reliable way to deliver goods from the store to home. According to statistic, 20 billion polythene bags are being used per day in Sri Lanka. This creates massive amount of non-biodegradable waste which poses a huge threat to human, animal and the environmental health. This study was conducted with the primary objective of evaluating the current usage of polythene in super markets of Colombo District and to find alternatives to minimize the usage of polythene bags in super markets. Primary data were gathered by a questionnaire survey carried out among the four major super market chains as in Cargills Food City, Keells Super, Arpico Super Centre, Laugfs Supermarket to understand the usage of the polythene bags. Secondary data were gathered from observations, discussions, books, electronic media and other sources. Some paper bag alternatives were made; Cement Paper bag with oil paper coating, Cement Paper bag with corn husk as the bottom, Cement Paper bag with oil paper layering and Cement Paper bag with banana tree bark at the bottom to test the mechanical properties and feasibility of the option. The results from the Market survey signifies that averagely around 8 million of polythene bags are issued per month by all the outlets in Colombo district by each super market category. Therefore, study findings revealed that out of the four types of alternatives tested Cement Paper bag with banana tree bark at the bottom would be the best option as it showed the greatest mechanical properties. When look in to the cost associated with the production, all the four types of bags would have to bear the coat of 6.75 to 7.00 LKR. Therefore, Cement paper bag with banana tree bark at the bottom would be the ideal replacement for polythene bags use to pack different types of dry vegetables and food.Item Customer preference on an eco-friendly alternative for polythene grocery bag(Department of Zoology and Environmental Management, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2017) Gamagedara, D.; Athukorala, U.K.; Gayangani, E.M.; Chrishanthan, J.E.; Bandara, W.A.R.T.W.Polythene have become increasingly popular for industrial and consumer uses because of their flexibility and cost effectiveness. Most of the items in the supermarkets are packed using some kind of polythene packaging material and they are giving away bags for each and every item a customer buys. However, there is no proper management system. It is a known fact that polythene has become a serious threat to human and animal as well as environmental health. This study was carried out with the objective of evaluating customer preference on usage of polythene and moving for eco-friendly alternative in Colombo district. A questionnaire survey was carried out to find the customer preferences on selected four different roads in Colombo district focusing four major super markets; Cargils, Keels, Laugfs and Arpico. Total sample size was 200. According to the survey results, 43% of consumers visit super market once a week and 27% of the respondents visit super markets twice a week. 96% of respondents would like to go for a bio degradable option and majority of respondents (90%) are willing to pay an extra for an ecofriendly alternative. Also, 64% would like to pay less than 5.00 rupees for an alternative bag while 30% of respondents would like to pay up to 8.00 Sri Lanka rupees. Customers are less aware of harmfulness of polythene and they are willing to accept an alternative if they are provided with an alternative.