Kenyans have been urged to embrace waste recycling for economic benefit and protection of the environment.
Kenya Extended Producers Responsibility Organization (KEPRO) officers are leading a two days awareness forum for stakeholders involved in the waste management sector from Meru, Tharaka Nithi, Isiolo, Murang’a, Embu, Kirinyaga and Nyeri.
The sensitisation is meant to help realise the provisions of the Sustainable Waste Management act 2022.
The law provides for segregation of various types of waste at source, transportation, storage and recycling.
KEPRO Operations officer Isaiah Mumo said there was need for behaviour change from producers to consumers for successful recycling of solid waste.
“This is our sixth region we are conducting sensitization. We must embrace my waste, my responsibility slogan, where everyone must be responsible by safe collection, segregation and safe recycling of waste for clean and healthier environment. We are aware there has been poor capacity building and lack of awareness to link waste management operators,” Mumo said.
He said that despite KEPRO having recycled over 15,000 metric tones of flexible polyethene for the last three years, the challenge has been lack of data on non hazardous products.
Gitobu Nkanata, the Meru Municipal manager urged urban dwellers to embrace responsible handling of waste.
“We are faced with enormous challenge of transporting waste to a cost of Sh7million per year used on fuel. People should change their attitude especially on throwing waste anyhow. They should also stop burning waste within the town,” Nkanata said.
Jedidah Kanana, a representative of the Kenya Association of waste recyclers in Eastern region said most of the diseases human beings are contracting emanate from poor waste disposal.
“The weather pattern has been affected greatly. On our farms, crops grow with acid due to hazardous products thrown into the farms. County government must embrace good waste management and promote climate action change,” she said.
