In recent years, Kenya has made significant strides in waste management, emerging as a standout nation in Africa. Kenya, guided by its Vision 2030, has set targets for sustainable waste management. The country aims to promote clean environments, reduce pollution, create green jobs in recycling, and improve infrastructure for sustainable waste management. These efforts align with the concept of a circular economy, benefiting both the environment and the economy. The Sustainable Waste Management Act 2021 serves as a roadmap to achieving these targets.

According to the United Nations Environment Programme, Waste generation is low in Kenya compared to the world average: in 2018, the per capita waste generation rate was 11 kilograms per year, compared to the world average per capita waste generation rate of 29 kilograms per year. However, 92 percent of that waste is mismanaged. In fact, there are no collection services in rural areas. This leads to leakage into terrestrial and marine ecosystems.

From inadequate infrastructure to insufficient investment and enforcement, Kenya faces several hurdles in effectively managing its waste. However, there are also notable achievements, such as the successful ban on plastic bags. In a conversation with industry experts in Kenya, we gained insights into the challenges and promising developments in Kenya's waste management sector.

Benard Were, Administration, Kenya Association of Waste Recyclers, said that Kenya's success in waste management cannot be solely attributed to the government. While municipal departments handle city cleanups and garbage collection, the real impetus for effective waste management comes from private initiatives. Citizens take it upon themselves to manage their waste by engaging waste managers who collect garbage and recover recyclable materials, he noted. This private-driven approach has been instrumental in reducing environmental pollution and promoting sustainable practices, he said. 

Talking about the Kenya Association of Waste Recyclers, he said that it boasts a diverse membership that spans the entire waste management value chain. “From waste pickers in community-based organisations to individuals with recycling yards and those involved in converting waste into finished products, the association brings together stakeholders committed to waste recovery and recycling. This collaborative network facilitates the efficient flow of waste materials through the circular economy model.”

Government Intervention and Sustainable Waste Management Act

While private initiatives have been the driving force behind Kenya's waste management success, the government has also recognised the need for effective regulations and policies. In 2017, the government took a significant step by banning flexible single-use plastics, addressing a major source of environmental pollution. Subsequently, the government introduced the Sustainable Waste Management Act, developed in consultation with stakeholders, to further enhance waste management practices.

The Act introduces new waste handling requirements, including the separation of waste at the household level. “However, implementing these requirements poses practical challenges. Households will need to adapt to separating waste int’o different streams, requiring attitude change, sensitisation, and infrastructure adjustments,” pointed out Were. To address these challenges, the Kenya Association of Waste Recyclers has launched sensitisation campaigns across the country, engaging stakeholders and educating communities on the new waste handling model.

Extended Producer Responsibility and Collaboration

One crucial aspect of the Sustainable Waste Management Act is the concept of extended producer responsibility. Producers and companies responsible for environmental pollution are now legally obliged to take responsibility for the waste they generate. This provision fosters collaboration between waste collectors, recyclers, and polluting industries, allowing waste handlers to be compensated for their responsible actions towards the environment.

Practical Challenges and the Way Forward

While Kenya's waste management journey has been commendable, several challenges remain. “The implementation of source segregation at the household level requires significant investment in infrastructure, education, and behavioural change.” Coordinating waste collection trucks to ensure separate streams are efficiently managed is another logistical hurdle, he said, adding “ The collection truck should either carry a single stream or be divided into sections to carry different streams.” 

Overcoming these challenges will necessitate sustained efforts from both the government and private stakeholders. The lack of funding and government support has hindered progress in this area. Were highlighted the need for financial assistance and incentives to encourage investment in waste management infrastructure. 

He pointed out that Kenya's greatest strength lies in its people. Many individuals involved in waste management have taken it upon themselves to convert waste into opportunities. They have demonstrated resilience and resourcefulness in recovering and recycling different types of waste, including metal, plastic, and organic waste. However, their efforts require support and goodwill from the government, such as subsidies and access to suitable land for waste aggregation. 

Betterman Simidi M., Founder and Former Chief Executive Officer, Clean Up Kenya. He is also the Co-Founder of Clean Up Uganda / Litter-free Ghana. Betterman Simidi highlighted the structural and financial challenges in waste management in the country. Since the introduction of a new constitution in 2010, waste management responsibilities were decentralized to the counties, resulting in limited involvement from the national government. “Unfortunately, many counties have not adequately invested in waste management, leading to challenges in managing dumpsites and illegal dumping, he noted. Compliance with waste collection at the household level stands at around 60%, leaving room for improvement. Littering is another issue stemming from inadequate investment in street cleaning.

Clean-up Kenya is an advocacy organization that tries to bring stability to the problem of public costs. So we've been doing this for the last seven s. So ideally we do a lot of cleanups, but also we do research. We produce reports on areas around publics on nutrition. 

He said that the Sustainable Waste Management Act 2021 sets targets and regulations to address waste management issues. However, challenges lie in enforcing the act effectively. Segregation of waste at the source, heavy fines for noncompliance, and transportation regulations for non-segregated waste require strong enforcement measures. The act also calls for investment in material recovery facilities, adding further financial burdens.

Kenya's recycling sector is showing promise but has room for growth. While certain materials, like DDT, are managed within the country, others, such as PET bottles, are exported to countries like India and China for recycling. He emphasized the need for more policies and regulations concerning trading in waste or recycled materials. It criticised the proposed EPR regulations, highlighting the absence of a deposit return scheme, indicating a potential missed opportunity for effective plastic pollution control.

Simidi commended the ban on plastic bags as a highly successful initiative. “The ban has led to a significant reduction in plastic bag usage, estimated at around 70 per cent.” he said.  However, effective enforcement remains crucial to address illegal trading and ensure continued success.

He recommended that the Kenyan government increase financial investment to improve dumpsites and to create awareness among people to reduce waste and littering. He also commented that enforcement at both national and county levels needs to be strengthened. “Lastly, more progressive policies and legislation are needed to address plastic pollution effectively,” he added. 

George Kimani, Chairperson at E-Waste Initiative Kenya, explored the state of waste management in Kenya and discussed the recently enacted Sustainable Waste Management Act 2021. E-Waste Initiative Kenya is a non-governmental organisation that focuses on e-waste management, particularly within the informal sector. Recognising the significant amount of e-waste generated in the country and the lack of proper information and technology for its management, the organisation was established in 2015 and officially registered in 2016. The organisation's core activities include training on sustainable e-waste management, e-waste collection and correction, refurbishment of ICT equipment, general electronics repairs, and remanufacturing or reverse engineering of electronic gadgets to address community needs. 

Kimani said Kenya has made significant strides in sustainable waste management. However, he acknowledges that certain areas still require attention. Waste transportation practices need improvement to ensure that waste is properly contained, preventing spills that can contribute to pollution. The issue of nearly full dumpsites also poses challenges to nearby communities, he said. Nevertheless, Kimani commended Kenya's efforts in managing waste and emphasized the need for continued progress.

He highlighted Kenya's progress in plastic recycling, thanks to the involvement of private sector enterprises. However, he suggested that the government should support other recyclers to expand their operations. Additionally, he encouraged the adoption of a culture of reuse to promote waste reduction and bridge the digital divide through the refurbishment and affordable availability of electronics. 

Apart from awareness and collection issues, George identified the presence of cartels as a major challenge in Kenya's waste management sector. “These organised groups often seek to control waste management operations, including influencing government decisions. Addressing the influence of cartels is crucial for the smooth functioning of the waste management industry,” he said. 

He further highlighted the low funding allocation for waste management, with a significant focus on general waste rather than e-waste. He suggested that developing a dedicated policy for e-waste and securing adequate funding for infrastructure would greatly benefit the sector. Additionally, he proposed recycling general waste into fertilizers, which would contribute to the agricultural sector's growth and reduce reliance on imported fertilizers.

Kenya's waste management progress is a testament to the power of private initiatives and collaboration between various stakeholders. While the government has played a supportive role through legislation and regulation, the real change has been driven by citizens and waste management professionals. With the introduction of the Sustainable Waste Management Act, Kenya is poised to further enhance its waste management practices, emphasising source separation, extended producer responsibility, and the circular economy model.