NEMA cracks down on improper waste transport under new regulations
The regulations require waste to be separated into hazardous and non-hazardous categories, with non-hazardous waste further divided into organic and non-organic wastes.
The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has announced that all waste transporters must now ensure waste is properly segregated at the source and transported in clearly labelled, colour-coded containers.
In a public notice, the Authority warned that failure to comply with the new waste management regulations could result in fines, imprisonment, or suspension of operating licenses.
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NEMA stated that the directive follows the implementation of Legal Notice 178 of 2024 under the Environmental Management and Co-ordination (Waste Management) Regulations, as well as the Sustainable Waste Management (SWM) Act, 2022.
According to the Authority, the regulations require waste to be separated into hazardous and non-hazardous categories, with non-hazardous waste further divided into organic and non-organic wastes.
NEMA's colour-coded waste containers. (Photo: NEMA)
"As stated in Section 21(3) of the Sustainable Waste Management Act, any waste service provider who fails to comply with the law is committing an offence and, if convicted, may face a fine of up to sh 50,000, six months in prison, or both. In addition, their license may be suspended for up to six months," NEMA said in the notice.
“The Authority wishes to remind you that one of the waste transport license conditions is that waste should be transported in a segregated state. This implies that you should NOT transport mixed waste.”
The Authority explained that waste should be placed in colour-coded containers: green for organic waste, black for general waste, and blue for recyclables. It emphasised that transporting mixed or unsegregated waste violates the terms of waste transport licenses.
NEMA said that to comply, waste transporters must either fit their vehicles with separate compartments or collect different types of waste on separate days.
It advised transporters to demand that their clients sort waste before collection and ensure it is stored in the correct colour-coded bags.
NEMA reiterated that it had already commenced enforcement of the new regulations and called on all stakeholders to comply immediately to avoid penalties.
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