Kenya, like many countries, faces a formidable challenge: plastic pollution. Each year, more than 966,000 metric tonnes of plastic waste are generated in the country, according to the Unep Sustainable Manufacturing and Environmental Pollution (SMEP) programme.
From there, a staggering 37 kilotonnes seeped into our environment and oceans. This pollution harms wildlife, contaminates our ecosystems and poses health risks to humans.
As a response to this, the government, through the National Environment Management Authority (Nema), made a progressive move to enforce the ban on single-use carrier bags in the country in 2017. Since then, Kenyan retailers have taken significant steps to eliminate single-use plastic bags from their stores and introduce reusable and recyclable shopping options.
Previously, an estimated 100 million single-use plastic bags were used in Kenyan supermarkets every year, according to data by Nema. As of 2021, Nema indicated that the ban on single-use plastic had achieved 95 percent compliance, a clear demonstration of the commitment of the industry and government to foster sustainable practices.
While the ban has encouraged retailers and companies to adopt more sustainable options, it is evident that plastic pollution continues to pose a challenge. The reusable and recyclable shopping bags are not being optimally reused and recycled.
The low rate of recycling has derailed the benefits of the ban on single-use plastics. It is estimated that only nine percent of global plastic waste is recycled, as highlighted by the OECD Global Plastics Outlook. Locally, according to data from USAid’s Unlocking the Plastics Value Chain project, Kenya recycles only seven percent of its plastic, leading to an estimated 92 percent being mismanaged.
In the retail industry, a key challenge to achieving a circular economy for plastic shopping bags is effectively encouraging customers to return old bags for recycling. Although many customers advocate for sustainability, only a few recycle. Involving end users to be intentional in recycling is pivotal in combating plastic pollution.
Concerted efforts by all relevant stakeholders must be made to empower everyone to not only adopt sustainable lifestyles but responsibly divert 100 percent of plastic waste for recycling.
