Travel Without Plastic is an environmental initiative that promotes responsible and plastic-free travel by reducing plastic usage and encouraging proper waste management in tourist destinations. It focuses on protecting natural attractions while raising awareness among both local and international visitors for a cleaner and more sustainable environment.
“හරිත මංපෙත් සිරිපා කරුණා” was a field-based environmental conservation and awareness project conducted under the Travel Without Plastic initiative by the ZeroPlastic Community of Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka. The project was designed to reduce plastic pollution and promote responsible travel behavior at one of Sri Lanka’s most important pilgrimage and tourist sites.
The project was implemented at Sri Pada, covering both the Ratnapura–Palabaddala trail and the Hatton–Nallathanniya trail. During the activity, approximately 15 kilometers were covered through organized cleanup operations, where plastic waste such as PET bottles and polythene wrappers was collected and properly disposed of at designated points.
In addition to the cleanup work, an awareness campaign was conducted for pilgrims and travelers. The team distributed printed educational bookmarks and engaged directly with visitors to explain the harmful impacts of plastic pollution and the importance of responsible waste disposal.
To further strengthen outreach, the project also used modern communication methods such as digital storytelling and vlog-based content, aiming to spread the message of plastic-free travel to a wider audience.
Overall, the initiative contributed to environmental protection at Sri Pada while encouraging positive behavioral change and promoting a more sustainable travel culture in Sri Lanka.