The National Environment Management Authority (Nema) has announced a ban on the use of plastic bags to collect or dispose of garbage.
In a notice dated April 8, Nema has issued Kenyans 90 days to stop using plastic bags from the date of the notice saying they should adapt to biodegradable garbage bags instead.
“For the foregoing therefore and to ensure environmentally sound management of the organic waste fraction, the Authority directs that within 90 days from the date of this notice. The use of conventional plastic bags/bin liners for collection of organic waste shall thus cease forthwith. All organic waste generated by households, private sector and public sector institutions, private and public functions and events; shall strictly be segregated and placed in 100% biodegradable garbage bags/bin liners only," the notice states
In 2017 a similar ban happened on plastic carrier bags. At the time the ban had been made by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources.
The ban is inline with Section 12 of the Sustainable Waste Management Act, 2022.
NEMA issues directive prohibiting use of plastic bags for garbage collection