Private garbage collectors are now urging the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), to review the compliance period set in the biodegradable bags transition process so as to allow for adequate testing, certification and a meaningful multi-sectoral dialogue.
Private garbage collectors are now urging the National Environment Management Authority , to review the compliance period set in the biodegradable bags transition process so as to allow for adequate testing, certification and a meaningful multi-sectoral dialogue.
"The government of Kenya, in 2017 via Gazette Notices no. 2334 and 2356, banned the manufacture, importation and use of plastic carrier bags and flat bags used for commercial and household packaging. This included garbage bags and bin liners in its scope," read part of the notice. Further, the association says that the 2017 Gazette Notice 2356 exempted garbage Liners, provided that the waste service providers adhered to strict take-back and EPRrequirements. In its own assessment, WEMAK believes that it is largely in compliance with the requirements and further considers the new directive as being in contradiction with the previous exemption.
WEMAK argues that the proposed biodegradable bag would take at least six months to biodegrade and thus lead to landfills considering that in Nairobi alone, there are about 100 private companies in garbage collection with each collecting an estimated 15 tons of waste in a day.
Accordingly, the waste collection companies have proposed a multi- sectoral approach involving experts which they say would be crucial to evaluate the composition and environmental impact of alternative bags before mandating their use. The ban on non-biodegradable bags threaten significant job losses within the waste management sector, particularly among waste pickers, recyclers, recovering recyclable waste from the general environment and landfills.
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