The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has introduced three colours Kenyans should use to segregate waste in their homes.
In a notice on Wednesday, the authority unveiled the three colours Green, Blue, and black.
NEMA, in the proposal, advised households and private sector entities to use green-colored waste bags and dustbins for organic waste, Blue bins for recyclable waste, and black for general waste.
"Section 12 of the Sustainable Waste Management Act requires the Cabinet Secretary in consultation with the Authority and County Governments to Gazette the National Colour Coding System for waste management.
"To ensure all public and private sector entities segregate the non-hazardous waste into organic and inorganic fractions, NEMA has come up with a proposed National colour coding system," read the notice in part.
The authority further indicated that it had published its proposals for public participation. Comments for the proposed colour coding system must be provided by August 16, 2024.
In April this year, NEMA banned the use of plastic garbage bags and bin liners and launched a crackdown.
"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 generated by households, private sector and public sector institutions, religious institutions, private and public functions and events; shall strictly be segregated and placed in 100 per cent biodegradable garbage bags/ bin liners only," NEMA directed.
"The use of conventional plastic bags/bin liners for collection of organic waste shall thus cease forthwith."
In July this year, the authority officially kicked off the enforcement of proper garbage disposal within households and the use of biodegradable waste bags.
At the time, NEMA noted that it expected all public and private sector entities to segregate non-hazardous waste into organic and non-organic fractions.
Per the Sustainable Waste Management Act of 2022, any person who contravenes the specified law will be liable for a fine of Ksh20,000 or imprisonment of six months or both.
“A person who does not manage waste in accordance with subsection (1) commits an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding twenty thousand shillings or imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or both,” reads part of the Act.
