From July 8, 2024, in the East African nation of Kenya, organic waste, including food scraps, must be collected using 100% biodegradable garbage bags instead of plastic bags.
This is a directive issued by the National Environment Management Authority of Kenya (NEMA) on 8 April 2024 to reduce plastic pollution in the East African country.
The directive covers all types of organic waste, including kitchen waste (food scraps, fruit peels, coffee grounds, filters, bread, dairy products, cheese peels, vegetable tops, rotting fruits and vegetables), garden waste (lawn scraps, leaves, hedge clippings, wilted flowers), and household waste (paper towels, paper towels, wood ash, sawdust, shavings, newspapers, houseplants, etc.).
Although Kenya enacted a groundbreaking law in March 2017 banning the use of single-use plastic bags in homes and businesses, more than 500 people have been arrested and more than 300 prosecuted within two years of the law's enactment, according to NEMA. Those found guilty were fined between 50,000 and 150,000 Kenyan shillings and some were sentenced to prison.
But in reality, the country's battle against plastic pollution has not been completely won. For example, Kenya, a country of nearly 56 million people, generates about 2,400 tons of solid waste every day, of which a fifth (480 tons) is plastic, according to a 2021 World Bank report.
But now, it goes one step further.
NEMA has announced a ban on the use of plastic bags to collect organic waste such as food leftovers. It said plastic bags would not be allowed in the market from July 8, 90 days after the first notice was issued on April 8.
In addition, all organic waste generated by households, public and private sector institutions, activities and activities must be sorted and put into 100% biodegradable garbage bags.
NEMA has directed all county governments and private waste disposal services to provide their customers with bags.
Analysts say the move is like increasing the cost of garbage collection, especially for households.
