The National Environment Management Authority has implemented a directive that all organic waste collection must use 100% biodegradable garbage bags.
As of 8th July 2024, the nationwide initiative to enhance waste management practices is now in effect, in accordance with the directive announced on April 8th, 2024. NEMA had stipulated a 90-day grace period from the date of the announcement for all parties to adhere to the revised regulations.
During the period, all public and private entities, including County Governments and licensed waste service providers, were given time to switch to using biodegradable bags.
All garbage must now be disposed of in biodegradable garbage bags, as directed by the Authority. Furthermore, all county governments and private waste service providers licensed by NEMA are required to supply their customers with 100% biodegradable bags.
In a statement on social media, the environmental authority emphasized that all organic waste produced by households, businesses, institutions, and events must be sorted and stored in biodegradable garbage bags or bin liners.
The directive which is in line with Section 12 of the Sustainable Waste Management Act 2022 requires that both public and private sector organizations must separate non-hazardous waste into organic and non-organic categories that should then be disposed of in appropriately labeled receptacles, bins, containers, or bags with distinct color coding. Waste management service providers are required to collect, handle, and transport the segregated waste accordingly.
The enforcement of the ban on conventional plastic bags, which was introduced in 2017 under Gazette Notice Nos. 2334 & 2356, marks a significant shift in environmental waste management policies in line with sustainable development goals.
The ban was also extended to include plastic carrier bags and flat bags commonly used in commercial and household packaging, as these were identified as major contributors to environmental pollution.
However, stakeholders in the garbage collection industry are now urging NEMA, to review the compliance period set in the biodegradable bags transition process so as to allow for adequate testing, certification and a meaningful multi-sectoral dialogue, stating that the authority had not provided clear guidance on the availability, cost and sourcing of certified biodegradable bags, raising concerns about potential monopolies and unfair competition, arguing that the 90-day compliance period was unreasonable, given the lack of testing and certification of alternative bags and the absence of designated waste material recovery facilities.
By Hellen Lunalo
