The National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) has called for an end to the use of plastic bags for rubbish collection and disposal.
According to an announcement by the regulatory body on Monday, July 8, 2024, all private and public garbage handlers will have a period of 90 days to comply with the directive.
The authority has also directed all county governments and private waste service providers to provide their clients with 100% biodegradable bags.
“All organic waste generated by households, private sector and public sector institutions, religious institutions, private and public functions and events; shall strictly be segregated and placed in 100% biodegradable garbage bags/ bin liners only.
“The use of conventional plastic bags/ bin liners for collection of organic waste shall thus cease forthwith. All County Governments and private waste service providers licensed by NEMA are required to provide to their clients the 100% biodegradable garbage bags/ bin liners only,” the statement read in part.
NEMA also cited Section 12 of the Sustainable Waste Management Act of 2022 which dictates that; (1) All public and private sector entities segregate non-hazardous waste into organic and non-organic fractions (2) The segregated waste be placed in properly labelled and colour-coded receptacles, bins, containers, and bags. (3) All waste service providers to collect, handle, and transport segregated waste.
The use, manufacture, and importation of plastic carrier bags and flat bags for commercial and household packaging was banned in a 2017 Gazette notice Numbers 2343 and 2356 by the Government of Kenya through the Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources.