National Environment Management Authority(NEMA) has issued 21 days directive to all County Governments to reorganize the dumpsites by making sure that waste is properly separated at the source.
NEMA is a notice dated September 19, stating that this move is part of the Sustainable Waste Management Act (SWMA), which states that waste generators should separate waste before disposal.
The Sustainable Waste Management Act also requires that waste transporters carry only segregated waste.
“County Governments are REQUIRED and DIRECTED to within the next 21 days, accelerate the transition towards a circular economy in waste management by facilitating segregation of waste at source and in transit by reorganizing dumpsites accordingly,” NEMA stated.
Under the new rules provided by NEMA, waste must be stored in color-coded bins. Green bins are for organic waste, black for general waste, and blue for recyclables
The authority noted that the separation will help in building a circular economy, where waste is treated as a resource and valuables are recovered.
NEMA urged the service providers to collect, handle and transport segregated waste without mixing it since the organic waste will be transported to material recovery facilities.
On July 8, NEMA stated that it will enforce a law that mandates Kenyans to separate their household waste into organic and non-organic waste bags.
The government, therefore intends to ensure that Kenyans, going forward, adhere to the law.
The authority also banned the use of plastic garbade bags, urging the garbage collection companies and individuals to use biodegradable bags.
“The Government of Kenya (through the Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources) in 2017 vide Gazette notice Nos. 2334 & 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,” stated NEMA.
Private and public organisations and County government are also required to adhere to the regulations.
