NEMA Seeks Investors for Biodegradable Garbage Bags Amid Stricter Waste Management Measures

The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) is actively engaging investors to develop biodegradable garbage bags for organic waste collection, aiming to transition Kenya into a more sustainable waste management system. NEMA Director General Mamo Mamo made the announcement on Thursday, emphasizing the need for innovative solutions in waste management.

“Any plastic can be biodegradable, but they are not compostable,” Mamo stated, highlighting the importance of creating garbage bags that are starch-based, ensuring they decompose within weeks or months. The urgency of this initiative comes as Kenya intensifies its efforts to manage waste sustainably and reduce environmental pollution. The initiative has garnered significant interest, with over 10 investors, primarily from outside the country, expressing a desire to manufacture these biodegradable bags. Mamo revealed that these firms will undergo thorough vetting, with the Kenya Bureau of Standards involved in the process to ensure the quality and effectiveness of the products.

“We are asking the industry to innovate and come up with suitable alternatives,” Mamo urged, stressing the need for a shift towards eco-friendly waste management solutions. With the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya aims to be at the forefront of sustainable waste management practices globally.

The push for biodegradable garbage bags is part of a broader strategy by NEMA to phase out the use of conventional plastic bags or bin liners for organic waste collection. The authority recently announced that it is now illegal to use these traditional plastic bags following the expiration of a 90-day notice period. This directive is aligned with the Sustainable Waste Management Act, 2022, which seeks to transition Kenya from a linear to a circular economy, promoting the reuse and recycling of resources to minimize waste and enhance efficiency.

On April 8, 2024, NEMA issued a public notice mandating that all organic waste generated by households and public and private institutions must be segregated and placed in 100% biodegradable garbage bags or bin liners. The waste collected must be transported to designated material recovery facilities for further processing. This move is expected to significantly reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills and promote the recycling and composting of organic waste.

NEMA’s recent actions build on the momentum gained by Kenya’s 2017 ban on the manufacture, importation, and use of plastic carrier bags. The ban, which was one of the most stringent in the world, introduced heavy penalties for possession of such plastics, with fines ranging from Sh2 million to Sh4 million, and jail terms of up to two years. Despite the ban, some non-biodegradable plastics continue to circulate in the Kenyan market, necessitating further action.

In addition to the biodegradable garbage bag initiative, Kenya has also banned single-use plastics in protected areas such as beaches, national parks, and forests since June 2019. Visitors are prohibited from carrying items like plastic water bottles, disposable cups, and straws into these areas.

The Sustainable Waste Management Act, 2022, further mandates that all public and private sector entities must segregate non-hazardous waste into organic and non-organic fractions, with appropriate labeling and color-coding of waste receptacles. Non-compliance with these regulations attracts fines and imprisonment, reinforcing the government’s commitment to sustainable waste management.

As Kenya continues to enforce these measures, the hope is that the country will achieve a significant reduction in waste, with only 5% expected to end up in landfills. The remaining waste will be incinerated, recycled, or turned into manure, contributing to a cleaner and healthier environment for all.