To beat plastic pollution, we should re-cycle plastic waste when possible, avoid single-use plastics, use alternative packaging

 

Vihiga County Government skip loader carrying away garbage.

The world generates approximately 2.01 billion tonnes of municipal solid waste annually, with at least 33 per cent of that not managed in an environmentally safe manner and this is projected to increase by 19% by 2050.

As Kenya joins the rest of the World to mark the 50th World Environment Day 2023 under the theme “Beat plastic Pollution”; it is the opportune time to develop and implement mechanisms geared towards regulating production, consumption and disposal of plastic materials for environmental conservation.

While plastics have many applications ranging from packaging, construction sector, textiles, consumer productions, electronics and industrial machinery, over-reliance on single-use plastic products poses severe environmental, social, economic and health consequences.

Managing waste is faced with challenges that include inadequate collection and disposal of infrastructure, financial constraints and inadequate technological advances to enable effective waste management. Less than 20% of the waste generated around the world is recycled, and for Africa, a larger percentage of waste generated is disposed off at uncontrolled dumpsites and landfills, often associated with open burning.

Various options exist to effectively control and prevent plastic pollution in line with the principles of sustainable waste management. Plastic wastes should be reduced through policy interventions, change of behaviour and consumption patterns and exploring more environmentally friendly alternatives to plastics.

Banning of single- use plastics as was done by Kenya in 2017 and advocating for re-usable alternative packaging materials also goes a long way in addressing plastic waste menace. Recycling plastic wastes in Kenya will not only lead to environmental sustainability but also has the potential to create green jobs.

Partnerships between counties at regional blocs will be a great enabler in addressing both the financing and waste generation capacity gaps to reach a threshold that can sustain a recycling plant.

Effective waste management requires enactment of a legal framework and institutional framework as well as robust investment in collection, transportation and management utilities. Through a partnership with the United Nations Environment Program, the County Government has put in place a Solid Waste Management Policy which gives a long term aspiration on what the county seeks to achieve on waste management.

Governor Wilber Ottichilo with a community member from Kibiri forest during the 2021 World Environment day celebration in June

Among other provisions, the Policy prioritizes recycling of solid wastes, calls for Public-Private Partnerships in waste management and embraces the principles of sustainable waste management. In addition, the Vihiga County Solid Waste Management Strategy presents the specific actions to be undertaken to attain the policy aspirations.

Through partnership with the World Bank under the Kenya Urban Support Program, the County has acquired modern equipment and motor vehicles for waste management. We have also Purchased over 10 acres of land in Luanda sub county for the establishment of a modern waste management and recycling facility

Since the 1950s, the production of plastic increased exponentially because of its low cost. The World Bank reports that by 2050, the world is expected to generate 3.40 billion tonnes of waste annually, an increase from today’s 2.01 billion tonnes. Vihiga county is putting in place mechanisms to effectively manage her solid wastes. This is despite the challenges of resource gaps that are required to put in place the requisite waste management infrastructure.

Public Private Partnerships and innovations in waste management as espoused by The Vihiga County Waste Management Policy and Strategy shall go a long way in addressing the financing gaps. The waste sector provides opportunities for green jobs especially in recycling, which our young people can tap into. In order to enable recycling, the county is set to commence segregation of wastes at sources, collection and management.

In addition, regular clean-up activities and awareness campaigns go a long way in addressing waste management challenges in Vihiga.

Awareness Campaigns

The County government of Vihiga shall step up awareness campaigns that will largely target the reduction of plastic waste within the environment, illegal dumping, litter prevention, recycling, environmental education and public spaces clean-up activities. A county level waste management governance structure comprising of a CECM designated for Waste Management, a Chief Officer, a Director and County level officers, supported by Sub County and Market waste management supervisors enable effective collection, transportation and management of waste in Vihiga.

Governor Wilber Ottichilo and other government officials on a tree planting drive in Vihiga County.

To effectively coordinate waste management, the County Government of Vihiga partnered with NEMA and has had more than 20 officers trained in environmental inspection, with 5 being accredited as environmental inspectors. This will enable timely enforcement of environmental laws and regulations.

Status of plastic waste management in Vihiga County

Mismanagement and unmanaged plastic waste is acute in most counties, where the infrastructure, re-use and recycling is often insufficient. Despite the challenges, Vihiga through the department of Environment, Water, Energy, Natural Resources and Climate has put in place various measures to enhance waste management activities.

Newly delivered skips for use by Vihiga County Government.

This includes; budgetary allocation every financial year that has facilitated acquisition of 10-acre land for solid waste disposal and recycling, acquisition of waste skips for waste collection in markets and acquisition of Waste Management Vehicles and equipment with support from KUSP.

However, the County Government has set up solid institutional and legal framework to manage plastic pollution through models of circular economy, waste to energy concept involving informal/private sector in the County’s plastic waste management. Among the policies and planning documents developed by the department of Water, Environment, Energy and Natural resources include; County Environment Action Plan (CEAP); Waste Management Policy (WMP) and Waste Management Strategy (WMS).