Sustainability advocates from diverse organizations and corporations have urged the Government to prioritize consumer awareness and education regarding waste management in households and offices to combat pollution and bolster the circular economy in the nation.
During the Head of Sustainability Forum, Dr. Ayub Macharia, the Director of Environmental Enforcement at the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA), emphasized the significance of the Sustainable Waste Management Act 2021, which mandates waste segregation at its source. Failure to comply will result in a penalty of Kes 20,000.
Dr. Macharia stated firmly, “There will be no more negotiations with waste collectors. We demand the transportation of segregated waste.” He emphasized the introduction of color-coded bins in private premises to guarantee adherence to regulations. Additionally, he underscored the significance of domestic waste management in gathering data for accurate volume assessment.
Hosted by Taka Taka ni Mali in partnership with the Transform Global program and supported by Ernst & Young, Unilever East Africa, and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), the Head of Sustainability Forum is designed to foster discussions among sustainability champions. Its objective is to advance the circular economy agenda and tackle climate change issues in Kenya.
Also at the Forum, Kenya Alliance of Resident Associations (KARA) CEO Henry Ochieng, emphasized the lack of awareness and infrastructure for proper waste management at the household level. Adding, ‘Domestically, there is a lack of infrastructure, which will enable us to do segregation at source from our homes. There is a lack of adequate bins and bags to allow us to do proper waste management from home.’
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