The determinants of GDP, literacy rate and life expectancy on PWE in Sri Lanka : analysis from 2000-2022

Abstract

Introduction

One of the largest environmental problems of the twenty first century is plastic waste. The management of plastic waste has become more complex due to the world’s rapid growth in plastic production and consumption. The worldwide export of plastic waste is an important problem. Plastic’s low cost and various uses have made it the most vital materials in a wide range of industries. Plastic manufacturing and usage have been steadily increasing since 1950. Between 1950 and 2015 it has reached about 7800 million tons (Mt). In 1950 the globe produced 2 Mt of plastic annually by 2015, that amount had increased to 381 Mt. Estimates show plastic production is rapidly increasing and may reach 34000 Mt by 2050 (Salhofer et al., 2021).

Sri Lanka produces around 1.59 Mt of plastic waste each year. Out of that, 33% is collected and a paltry 3% of that is recycled, resulting in serious environmental issues. The country was ranked number five in the world by the amount of plastic waste that gets into the ocean in 2017 (Rizkiya, 2024). The greater the GDP, the greater is the demand for consumer products. The OECD estimates that in the absence of major policy interventions, plastic waste can reach three times its current levels by 2060, fueled by population and economic growth (Sonke et al., 2025). In Sri Lanka, economic development has caused plastic onsumption to grow. In the absencs of waste management infrastructure increase mismanaged waste.

While there are no direct correlations between plastic waste and life expectancy, environmental pollution caused by plastic can have serious implications for public health. Plastics have been detected in drinking water sources and food chains around the world, raising concerns about long-term health effects and causing environmental degradation, which indirectly affects public well-being and longevity (Ragusa et al., 2021).

Education plays a crucial role in shaping sustainable waste management behaviors. Higher literacy rates are strongly associated with increased environmental awareness and responsible waste disposal practices. Globally, educational initiatives aimed at promoting environmental stewardship such as school-based environmental Programmes help instill knowledge from an early age. However, turning awareness into action remains a challenge (Dalu et al., 2020).