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Environmental experts in Kilifi warn against recycling plastics

Albert Mwangi collecting plastics in Eastleigh, Nairobi. (Photo: Abdirahman Khalif)

By Farhiya Hussein | Tuesday, May 7, 2024

People warned against burning plastic waste in their residential areas as it leads to the release of dangerous fumes into the air that is not safe for inhalation.

Environmental experts in Kilifi County have cautioned the public against using recycled plastic products stating that they contain higher levels of toxic chemicals that are harmful to the body.

For many years, recycling has been used as a way of reducing the amount of plastic waste in the environment and oceans, but recent studies show that the process may be causing more harm than good.

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Pwani University Associate Professor in the Department of Environmental Sciences Professor Okeyo Benards explains that during the recycling process, some of the chemicals in the plastics change to be even more than they were in the previous plastic compound.

This in turn leads to recycled plastics being more dangerous to human bodies than the old ones.

“Recycling remains an option in reducing the quantity of plastics in the environment but in terms of chemical pollution and rate of toxicity, they are even more toxic than the old plastic,” Benards said.

Dangerous fumes

He warned people against burning plastic waste in their residential areas as it leads to the release of dangerous fumes into the air that is not safe for inhalation.

According to Prof. Benards, the best way to manage plastics is by reducing the amount of plastic products used in households and burning plastic waste in a safe place.

“If you have any waste that has plastic, please do not burn it. Set aside the plastic waste and let it be collected by the municipal workers who have incineration structures for burning such waste materials," Prof. Benards said.

Ashley Kazungu, a student pursuing a Masters in Environmental Science at Pwani University explained the need for people to reduce the amount of plastics in their households to protect themselves from the adverse health effects caused by the products.

“The most important thing that we can do as a society is to reduce the amount of plastic that we use. If you do not need plastic, please do not use it. Especially when serving hot drinks, beverages and food,” Kazungu said.

She emphasised the need for people to come together to fight the plastic crisis in the country to preserve our health and environment for ourselves and future generations.