Govt bans plastic bags for collection of organic waste

The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has banned the use of plastic bags and bin liners for the collection of organic waste.

In a notice on Monday, the authority said the directive forms part of a broader strategy under the Sustainable Waste Management Act, 2022, aimed at enhancing waste management and environmental sustainability across Kenya.

Under the new regulations, all county governments and private waste service providers licensed by NEMA were directed to provide their clients with 100 per cent biodegradable garbage bags or bin liners only for the collection of organic waste.

Additionally, all sectors, including households, private and public sector institutions, religious institutions, and venues for private and public events, were urged to strictly segregate organic from non-organic waste.

“From the foregoing, therefore, and to ensure environmentally sound management of the organic waste fraction, the authority hereby directs that within 90 days from the date of this notice, all organic waste shall be collected separately (not mixed with other waste types) and transported to a designated Material Recovery Facility for further processing,” reads the notice.

“The use of conventional plastic bags or bin liners for the collection of organic waste shall thus cease forthwith,” the notice added. 

Section 12 of the Sustainable Waste Management Act, 2022, requires all public and private sector entities to segregate non-hazardous waste into organic and non-organic fractions.

The segregated waste should be placed in properly labelled and colour-coded receptacles, bins, containers, and bags.

Additionally, all waste service providers are mandated to collect, handle, and transport segregated waste.

In 2017, the government, through the Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources via Gazette Notices 2334 and 2356, banned the manufacture, importation, and use of plastic carrier bags and flat bags used for commercial and household packaging. This included garbage bags and bin liners in its scope.

The aim of the government's ban on the use of plastic bags was to avoid the health and environmental effects resulting from the use of plastic bags.

Among the effects include the inability of plastic bags to decompose, thus affecting soil quality, the littering of such bags in various parts of the country, the blockage of sewerage and water drainage infrastructure, causing floods during the rainy season, and damage to ecosystems and biodiversity.

Plastic bags have also resulted in the deaths of animals after consuming plastic material. They also endanger human health when used for packaging hot food. The bags are also said to release poisonous gases when used as fuel to light charcoal and air pollution when disposed of by burning in the open air.

Section 145(1) of the Environmental Management and Coordination Act (EMCA) states that any person who contravenes the provision of the gazette notice shall be liable to a fine of not less than Sh2 million, and not more than Sh4 million, or imprisonment for a term of not less than one year but not more than four years or to both such a fine and imprisonment.