Environmentalists Want Fully Implementation of 2017 Ban on Plastic Materials
Kilifi County Financing Locally-led Climate Action (FLLoCA) representative Kelly Banda address journalists after a close-up activity at the Kilifi Creek. (Photo By Ronald Ngoba)
By Robby Ngoba
Email, thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com
Environment stakeholders in Kilifi County have asked the government to fully implement the 2017 ban on plastic Materials.
They emphasized the need for collaborative efforts in addressing plastic pollution by highlighting the risks posed by plastic waste including the harm to water, air, food and future of children. They are calling for alternative packaging methods such as use of biodegradable materials.
Addressing journalists during a clean-up activity at the Kilifi Creek over the weekend, Kelly Banda who is the representative of the Financing Locally-led Climate Action (FLLoCA), said with the increasing effects of climate change and other crises posed by plastic pollution, the government should fully enforce the 2017 ban and adapt to measures that would address the menace.
He said that the ban is still facing challenges in its enforcement.
“I want to challenge the government through the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) to revisit the ban on plastic pollution because plastic waste is one of the major contributors to climate change, affecting both human and aquatic life,” he said.
According to him, these challenges are damning concerns that require serious interventions from different stakeholders if the goal of having a waste-free environment is to be achieved.
“The effects of plastic pollution affect everyone and this calls for collaboration between the government, institutions and the community so as to address it,” Banda said.
Banda also urged companies to shun manufacturing of plastic Materials and embrace biodegradable items.
This, coupled with strategies to reduce plastic waste from the environment, would be of great help to both human and aquatic life.
In 2017, the government through NEMA and other environmental authorities issued a ban on polythene bags aiming to reduce the environmental impact of plastic Materials by banning their use, manufacture and importation into the country.
Globally, over 430 million tonnes of plastic are produced annually, with less than 9% of plastic being recycled, leading to widespread environmental pollution.
Henry Chege one of the pioneers of Hand to Hand Eastern Africa, a public benefit Organisation, said that the initiative can be achieved if both the government, environmental players and the public pull together the basic plastic applications as outlined in the national target of achieving a plastic-free environment.
He stated that the Organisation prioritises community awareness on plastic reduction and sustainable consumption.
“Our Organisation advocates for waste management to strengthen local policy and promote recycling. This is done through multiple stakeholders collaboration,” said Chege.
He revealed that over 20 registered groups in Kilifi North Sub-County are undergoing awareness training on business development services and waste management.
“So far we have close to 20 groups that we are training in both business services and waste management. Our focus as an Organisation is to see a community that is improving and out of poverty in alignment with the sustainable development goals of the United Nation Development Programme (UNDP),” added Chege.
Hellen Lidava from the Eco World Recycling said Vulnerable community bear the brunt of plastic pollution, hence calling for the government intervention.
