We need strong plastic bottle recycling policies
Even against the backdrop of the severest plastic ban in the world, the problem of plastic pollution is still egregious. On 28th August 2017, Kenya banned the use of plastic carrier bags and plastic flat bags.
But while plastic carrier bags have disappeared plastic bottles are increasingly becoming an environmental scourge.
Take-away beverages are conveniently packed in plastic bottles. The bottles are used in a matter of minutes and then dumped inappropriately. The result is that they clog drainage systems and aggravate flooding and pollute water bodies.
There has been an increased importation and production of plastic bottles in the country what with new water and beverage bottling companies sprouting up.
There are however no proper waste management strategies to deal with with the consequent plastic waste.
The Kenya Association of Manufacturers is calling for clear plastic bottles recycling policies after lobbying for a reversal of a decision to ban plastic bottles.
The association wants the county governments to make it mandatory for businesses and institutions to set up bins designated for plastic waste.
Manufacturers dealing in plastic bottles have been tasked to install collection points all across the country.
The association teamed up with different companies to form PET Recycling Company Ltd (PETCO) that will be in charge of collecting, sorting and even funding of recycling of plastic bottles. PETCO aims at a recycling rate of 70 per cent by 2030.
“Tonnes of polyethene terephthalate (PET) are sold annually in Kenya and used to make beverage, food and other packaging material. There is a strong case for recycling since polyethene terephthalate has fully recyclable synthetic fibres, with polymer chains that can be recovered for use in the manufacture of new products,” says John Waithaka, the Chairman of PETCO Kenya.
PS: I first published this post on Tunza Eco-generation website. Tunza Eco Generation is CSR initiative by Samsung Engineering and UNEP for raising environmental awareness in which I represent Kenya.
References
