Recycle plastics for cleaner, healthier environment

By GARDY CHACHA

NAIROBI, KENYA: As early as 1997, Kenya’s National Environment Management Authority (Nema) estimated that Nairobi alone produced 1,530 tonnes of solid waste in a single day. “Plastics and other non-biodegradable waste are strewn all over low-income settlements causing great health and environmental concerns,” Nema writes in its official website.

This is the exact picture as plastic waste litter almost every crevice of the metropolis and other urban settlements.

Not far away from the CBD is the Dandora dumpsite, which was gazetted as the first municipal dumping ground for the city’s solid waste in 2010.

It is the final destination for the city’s industrial, commercial and household wastes. The 30-acre putrid and toxic landfill is full of plastic litter from beverage and soft drink companies.

Nema cites ‘garbage heaps and litter’ everywhere as evidence that management of solid waste is poorly handled.

The streets, roads and alleyways of Nairobi are not without a plastic bottle. In fact, it is only in July last year when Nairobi Governor Dr Evans Kidero led many volunteers from the county to rid the city of the eyesore solid waste.

The environment agency says that recycling companies such us Nairobi Plastics and Kenya Reclaim Rubber Company as well as community based organisations that deal with plastic recycling projects may provide solutions for clearing plastic garbage from the environment.

Plastic litter in the environment is a public health concern.

“Plastic bottles can harbour pathogens and propagate diseases from the environment,” points out Dr Richard Muraga of Family Health Options Kenya.

“They hold toxic wastes and chemicals that either children or animals or just any other human person may come into contact with,” he adds.

But even as such danger is faced, Kenyans seem to be the main instigators of plastic litter. There are numerous garbage bins installed along many streets in Nairobi but you are bound to find newly used plastic bottles resting on pavements.

“Early morning we collect tonnes and tonnes of these bottles. However, by midday you will see all manner of garbage everywhere you go,” says a Nairobi City County cleaner.

Bob Okello, the public relations officer at Coca Cola Kenya says the company, which  is among leading users of plastic bottles for packaging, has been recycling plastic.

However, he adds, Coca Cola is looking for ways of resuming plastic recycling as “the company

Recycled plastics go into making usable materials; like in building cars and tires.

Plastic solid waste block sewers and drains, pollute soil, endanger marine life and causes death to livestock when inadvertently consumed.