Early this month, world leaders, environmental advocates, and activists convened in Jeju, South Korea to mark and observe the World Environment Day.
Jeju, a self-governing province, is running an ambitious campaign to reduce environmental pollution and aims to end single-use plastic pollution by 2040.
The observance took place against the backdrop of countries worldwide making progress towards securing a comprehensive global treaty to eliminate plastic pollution in water and land ecosystems.
The convention urged world leaders, governments, the private sector, individuals, and international development organisations to support the treaty, which underscores the urgency of preventing plastic waste from infiltrating the environment and aims to reduce pollution from single-use plastics by promoting circularity.
Kenya, the host of the United Nations Environment Programme (Unep), is well-positioned to be a key driver of this seemingly unstoppable movement.
The country has latched onto the movement and made commitments to curb plastic waste through legislation, including the ban on single-use plastic bags in 2017, the development of Extended Producer Responsibility Regulations in 2021, the Sustainable Waste Management Act 2022 and the recent proposal to impose a 25 percent exercise duty on imported plastics.
While these commitments signal progress, the movement towards circularity appears disjointed with experts warning Kenya of falling short of addressing the unsustainable practices which could undermine environmental conservation and exacerbate the deadly impacts of climate change, nature and land pollution, and biodiversity loss.
A Unep study estimates that between 19 - 23 million tonnes of plastic waste leak into aquatic ecosystems annually.
About 13 million tonnes of microplastics accumulate in soil from sewage and landfills due to plastics in agricultural products. Of this, less than 10 percent is processed, recycled, or safely disposed of.
In another study by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, an estimated 400 million tonnes of plastic waste is produced every year, globally. Scientists warn that this number could continue an upward tangent by 2060 if the current trends hold.
Urban centres like Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, and Nakuru produce large amounts of plastic waste. In Nairobi, for example, retailers and eateries provide free plastic packaging and disposable cutlery, making single-use plastics a common feature in urban life.
Non-recyclables and general waste are either incinerated or sent to the Dandora landfill while others end up as litter in rivers and drainage systems.
In rural areas, waste is composted, burnt or improperly dumped due to inadequate waste collection services. The harm to the environment, ecosystems, and the economy is undoubtingly destructive - polluted rivers that need to be cleaned up, clogged drainage systems that exacerbate flooding, lost income, and concerns regarding implications on human health are growing.
The economic case for circular transition is evident. The Unep projects that circular economies can retain 95 percent of the material value in plastic packaging, creating $4.5 trillion in annual economic output.
By adopting circular principles into our national development strategies, we are not just reducing waste and cutting emissions; recycling increases resource efficiency, creates new opportunities for economic diversification, and accelerates sustainable development.
According to estimates, the implementation of a circular economy in Kenya could generate approximately 46,000 jobs by the year 2030.
Policy frameworks
The critical moment for the formalisation of the global plastics treaty is unfolding at a time when the world is rocking the severe effects of climate change and environmental pollution. This is a prime time to strengthen and enforce our policies.
In recent years, the inefficiencies and flaws of existing waste management regulations have received much criticism. The opportunity to advance to new frameworks or tighten loose ends on existing ones is, therefore, a possible opening to be seized to enhance plastic circularity.
With the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals target fast approaching, the urgency to act is dire. We must rethink waste management action plans and expedite circular economy policies and legislation. This means rethinking and enforcing a waste hierarchy system that addresses the entire lifecycle of plastics, from production to disposal.
Countrywide, there is little talk on how to engage or support a diverse set of stakeholders, investors, and communities about plastic waste management and the benefits of a circular economic model.
Without widespread consensus on circular transition, we risk manufacturers, businesses and citizens not complying with the stipulated standards.
We also risk losing investment opportunities from investors with financial capability and capacity, potentially missing on potential benefits. Engaging relevant stakeholders from the outset and supporting those affected by the transition will set a good pace for the transition.
It is also vital that we build and scale up capacity and decentralise waste management to rural areas. This can be achieved by designing and implementing a training program on responsible plastic waste practices for grassroots communities and expanding waste collection to rural areas.
Let us put aside convenience and begin with small, consistent actions together. Done right, circularity not only promotes environmental conservation but also offers significant opportunities for economic development, unlocks investment, supports sustainable development and growth, and protects our natural biodiversity and ecosystem.
Surprisingly, circularity is resource intensive. We must start initiating high-level discussions, commit and support stakeholders with scalable innovations, upgrading equipment, and integrating informal reclaimers into tech-driven waste management, which will be a significant step towards the transition.
Introducing incentives such as zero tax on imported waste management technology and collaborating with private scientific firms capable of building recycling infrastructure, including collection centers, automated sorting facilities, and recycling plants, is also a viable alternative.
While we will encounter challenges along the way, it is necessary to maintain progress towards circularity nationwide.
