Managing plastic waste requires fresh thinking and a holistic approach

File photo of a heap of plastic bags disposed behind go-downs in Industrial area in December 2017. [Willis Awandu, Standard]

In Kenya the main concern regarding Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) and the environment is the pollution associated with plastic packaging. According to the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, approximately 50 million plastic bottles are used annually.

Due to their non – biodegradable nature, plastics can stay in the environment long after they are disposed especially when shielded from direct sunlight either due to being buried in landfills, hidden in forests or under water.