Deputy Director, UN Environment Programme, Africa Office | Sustainability Expert| Creative Leadership| Keynote Speaker | Multi-Award Winner.

The globe generates slightly over 2 billion tonnes of solid waste every year, and of this amount, only about 19% of this waste is recycled. In the critical plastic waste area, which was the subject of a ground-breaking global resolution to end plastic pollution at UNEA5.2, the globe recycles less than 10% of over 242 million tonnes of plastic generated yearly.  

These low levels of recycling are reflected in Africa as well. Of the 125 million tonnes of solid waste generated annually, 70–80% is recyclable. However, the continent recycles only 4% of this total waste and fewer plastics. Africa generates just about a 16million tonnes of plastic waste annually, which is only 6% of plastic waste generated globally. Therefore, there is an urgent need for Africa and the entire globe to shift towards circularity in the waste sector. 

What are the biggest challenges of recycling in Africa?

We need to begin by acknowledging what the region has done correctly and then build on that to identify the gaps that need to be addressed. What Africa has done quite well is on the legislative front. Over 34 African countries, representing over 60% of the continent, have crucial legislation on waste management, which is the framework for recycling. However, the continent continues to grapple with waste management issues because of the failure to prioritise two contextual issues in the waste landscape.

First is a lack of incentives for a critical constituency of the continent’s waste management supply chain – the informal waste pickers. Informal pickers collect a majority of the continent’s recyclable waste. In some cities, they collect up to 90% of recyclables. On average, waste pickers deal with between 20% and 50% of the generated waste by collecting, sorting, and selling discarded materials. However, there are no targeted incentives to enhance the contribution of these informal pickers. Instead, they face social stigma, abuse from municipal & security officials, and other disincentives that prevent them from getting their livelihoods. What needs to happen is for such informal pickers to form themselves into formally recognised groups such as communal cooperatives, self-help groups, and community-based organisations. So they can operate their informal businesses within formally recognised structures that enable them to make their voices heard in terms of specific incentives they will need to further expand their services to the continent’s waste management landscape.

The second is a recycling narrative that does not reflect Africa’s waste composition. While plastic waste constitutes only 13% of solid waste generated in Africa, up to 57% is organic. Recycling organic waste, therefore, offers more advantages for Africa. It is less capital-intensive than plastics, making it more accessible to most continents. It also has the potential for wider-ranging impacts beyond waste. For example, recovering agricultural waste to fuel briquettes or biogas creates clean cooking alternatives for charcoal use, a $ 20 billion annual industry. This alternative then minimises pressure in forests, which contributes over 50% of Africa’s emissions and health, by minimising indoor pollution, which causes up to 700,000 deaths yearly. Young people across Africa provide a formidable force to be leveraged in recycling organic waste to domestic clean cooking energy, for example, a $20 billion-a-year enterprise opportunity. But they must inspire themselves to seize such opportunities.

Why recycling is essential for the African continent and the world

The socio-economic and environmental opportunities that recycling presents for Africa are impossible to ignore.

On the socio-economic front, the informal sector has low-hanging fruits – especially the youth stand to benefit by recycling organic waste, the most prevalent in Africa. Up to $20 billion in market opportunities stand to be tapped if our young people can retool their skills in the non-capital-intensive area of waste recovery to clean cooking. The building construction area, which is growing, is another that young people can tap into by investing in plastic waste recycling into paving tiles.

But beyond the informal sector, formal plastic recycling is also an area Africa can tap into, as shown by 2 of Africa’s largest economies – Nigeria & South Africa. In Nigeria, for example, an additional $250 million can be added to the economy every year with increased investments in plastic recycling. In South Africa, plastic recycling has created over 4000 direct jobs and over 30,000 indirect jobs, directly adding over $ 16 million into people’s pockets through the payroll.

Environmentally, projections show that under the status quo, meeting global developmental needs will require a 200% increase in natural resource extraction by 2050. This is happening in a globe where humanity is already overdrawing by 1.6 times the services nature can provide sustainably to guarantee human development well into the future. This calls for recycling to minimise the extraction of resources. For Africa, which experiences the second-highest level of losses from environmental degradation with over $60billion of its ecological resources lost every year, including through mining, logging etc., for resources that power global development, increased recycling to minimise extortion of new resources for every production cycle is very critical.

Low recycling levels mean the globe loses over $ 120 billion each year in recycling opportunities that could otherwise be invested to enhance the continent’s recycling, including through partnerships as provided under Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement.   

Background

Nairobi County is heavily polluted with solid waste and an urgent intervention to address the menace is needed. We realize that since Nairobi City is a global environment capital, Kenya needs to demonstrate this leadership through proper waste management. It is inspiring when we have entities coming up with solutions rather than the usual complaints that may exacerbate the prevailing problems.

Supported by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Nairobi City formulated the Integrated Solid Waste Management Strategy 2011-2030 that captures 8 programmes:

1. Waste collection and transportation of segregated waste
2. Resource recovery
3. Sustainable final disposal through a sanitary engineered landfill
4. Organizational restructuring and human resource development
5. Legal and institutional reform
6. Financial management
7. Private sector involvement
8. Public Participation and Promotion

Due to a myriad of challenges, the Strategy was hardly implemented. However, one of the outputs is the NCCG Solid Waste Management Act, 2015 that provides a legal framework for solid waste management in the City. This function is spelt out in Part 2 of the Fourth Schedule of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010. The Solid Waste Management Act captures:

• Colour coding, waste categorization and segregation
• Resource recovery
• Revolving fund
• Duty of care to all waste generators
• Franchise system for a robust waste collection and transportation model
• Cleaner production 
• Compliance and enforcement measures

Municipal solid waste is a by-product of our diverse day to day activities.  Strictly speaking, we are all generators of waste. Waste Management is the responsibility of everyone (including but not limited to individuals, communities, businesses, industries, institutions and Government). For this reason, the Nairobi City County Solid Waste Management Act cites Article 69 of the Constitution of Kenya; hence providing a framework to encourage public participation in the management, conservation and protection of the environment.

Status

Currently, the daily waste generated in the City is about 3,086 tonnes. As much as the UN-Habitat Survey, 2019 revealed that the waste collection rate increased to 65% from about 60% as at JICA, 2010 survey; the City was still dirty. This necessitated the transition from the linear model to the circular model in waste management. 

The city of Nairobi generates about 422 tons of plastic waste daily. 91% is collected and 9% is uncollected. Of the plastic waste collected, 49% is dumped at the final disposal site, 3% is sorted by formal sector for recovery and 28% is sorted by Informal sector Indeed the informal sector is a major player in the circular economy. About 21% of plastic waste is leaked in environment daily due to in-efficiencies of collection and management.

The table below highlights the extent of plastic waste mismanagement at various stages.

Through a circular economy model, we purpose to minimize cases of uncollected waste and maximise opportunities for formal sorting of waste.

The County waste management system is constrained and strategically requires the involvement of all waste generators to actualize separation of waste at source and separation at collection sites in order to reduce the waste taken to the final City dumpsite. 

Nairobi City County Government seeks to appropriately manage solid waste in the circular economy model. As the country transits from the linear model, Nairobi City County is the pilot in this process from which other counties will learn. In this respect, we are implementing the Sustainable Waste Management Action Plan. The purpose is to achieve a clean and healthy City, reduce cost of waste management and create jobs. The Action Plan captures six key components as listed below to be addressed in a multi-sectoral and multi-agency approach including all relevant stakeholders:

1. Education and public awareness
2. Introduction of waste separation at source
3. Upgrading waste collection and transportation logistics
4. Investing in waste recovery and final disposal
5. Strengthening governance and finance
6. Sustainable production for waste prevention

Challenges

Inadequate data and information: There is need for an accessible platform on actors in plastic waste, varieties of plastic that are recyclable and not as well as products made from plastic waste.

Inadequate public awareness and sensitization: There should be a continuous collaborative programme that should be included in the education curriculum.

Inadequate legal framework: There is need for National EPR regulations and City guidelines.

Inadequate supporting infrastructure: There is need for appropriate waste receptacles, MRFs and plastic waste processing facilities.

Inadequate incentives: There is need to harmonize waste handling legal requirements amongst lead agencies and provide green affordable authorization for sustainable plastic waste handlers.

Opportunities

Supportive stakeholders

Adoption of a circular economy model in the City is timely with the new political dispensation that is passionate about making Nairobi work.

The National Government is ready to support this process now that the Sustainable Waste Management Policy and Act were recently published.

There is an increase in green funding opportunities for sustainable waste management initiatives.

Nairobi has a robust private sector that is zealous about circular economy. They have challenged NCCG as they take the lead.

There is a growing capacity building space allowing practitioners to be well informed and skilled.

Existing legal framework

Nairobi City County Government (NCCG) has formulated a legal framework to enhance sustainable plastic waste management. 

The Solid Waste Management Act, 2015 provides for the need to segregate waste streams; plastic included. This enables recovery of more valuable plastic for reuse. The Nairobi City County Plastic Control Act, 2016 provides for the control on the manufacture, usage and disposal of plastic carry bags and other plastic products so as to maintain and restore a clean environment in the County of Nairobi City and connected purposes. In fact, this was enhanced by the National Ban on manufacture, sale and use of plastic carrier bags and flat bags for domestic and commercial packaging in Kenya, 2017. Since then there has been tremendous improvement in the cleanliness of the City. Plastic packaging was a major component of litter especially carrier bags.

Kenya has also recently, in 2019, adopted various standards for recycled plastic packaging materials with a view to not only protecting public safety and health but also to ensure environmental protection.

The use of plastic bottles, straws and related products in all national parks, national reserves, conservation areas and any other wildlife designated areas. Indeed, Nairobi hosts a number of these conserved spaces. The ban took effect on the 4^th of June 2020. 

In 2018, Nairobi actively participated in the World Habitat Day that initiated the ‘Waste-Wise-City’ campaign. In that breath, Nairobi updated its municipal solid waste data base supported by UN-Habitat. The findings revealed that Nairobi experiences about 35% of uncollected municipal waste. This is the main source of marine pollution. Actually, over 80% of plastic marine waste is from land based sources. In Kenya this results in 4.5Kg per person annual plastic leakage to water bodies exacerbating climate change effects as well as public health concerns. Nairobi County being a cosmopolitan city, definitely contributes largely to marine litter compared to other counties.

NCCG supports plastic waste recovery by authorizing eligible actors in the resource industry. They operate Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) from which plastic is the main waste stream recovered. The actors include private waste collection companies, Community Based Organizations (CBOs) and recycling companies. actors have MRFs. 

Led by the National Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Vintz Plastics- a recycling company and Nyayo Estate-residential establishment that has recovered 3.3 tons of plastics in the past 3 years were honored for their circularity in plastic waste management as the country transitions from the linear model of managing waste to the circular economy model.

NCCG has formulated a sustainable waste management action plan-the circular economy model. This will be supported by corresponding National legal framework to create a conducive environment to end plastic pollution. Already the private sector has taken initiative in the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) component by establishing Producer Responsibility Organizations; mainly composed of plastic packaging dealers at the moment. 

In light of the above, we need to explore options on sustainable plastic production because we may not be able to face out all plastic at once. Circular Economy is about smart product design to prevent waste production. This was timely for Nairobi City as we hosted UNEA5.2

Youthful and innovative entities ready to offer solutions.

A circular economy model is an avenue for job creation and investment opportunities. There is an energetic populace that is passionate about tackling societal problems with modern technology.

Almost a decade ago we founded ONISA Designs – a creative design and lifestyle company based in Nairobi, Kenya and subsequently came KIJANI GLASS.

KIJANI GLASS forms the upcycling wing of ONISA Designs, shining light on the possibilities of second chances, with KIJANI Glass we took upcycling into mainstream capitalism by transforming post-consumer glass bottles into glassware and other functional lifestyle products defined as three in one, Iconic, Functional and Purposeful. We have designed a range of products such as lighting, tableware and accessories under the KIJANI brand. Our goal is to leave a Magnus Opus Legacy.

The do WARRIORS – upcycling for environment and society, is an initiative inspired by our very own team to get things done, this initiative has been instrumental in the trailblazing dedication of cleaning up the dirty business of bottles, we rescue and refresh gin, liquor, whiskey, wine and vodka bottles from local bars and restaurants. With the future in focus as well as the universal call to action the UN Sustainable Development Goals it is our hope that society will take collective action and join us for the good of our planet. We take conscious steps in participating in hosted events to raise awareness on the importance of upcycling and waste prevention for contribution, economic potential and impact on habits.  

We urge society to take small eco-focused lifestyle changes with our 5R policy, which we expanded from the worldwide 3R policy to accommodate our business model.  Before you purchase a bottle think and RETHINK the use of not just the content but the bottle as well, REUSE the bottle in your environment and attempt for it not to get to landfill, RESCUE if you have no use for it dispose it responsibly and this is where do WARRIORS comes in after which we REFRESH the bottle and the consumer REBUYS the finished product.

Up to the minute we are also gratified to see an interest from the schools who are coming together in Kenya to educate their students on how to follow a sustainable path and we are thrilled to be a part of these discussions in which we intend to raise awareness about the cause we champion and learn about other people who enhance and add value to the environment. 

KIJANI GLASS recently received a large scale order from Banange Brewing Company and Yujo Izakaya in Kampala, Uganda and this showed us that there are businesses out there rooted in social responsibility and we are proud to already have presence in the neighboring countries and look forward to global expansion.

The opportunities in glass upcycling are bountiful, at KIJANI GLASS we have created employment opportunities in waste management, in part of our job as creators the creative intervention allows us to make products of good quality and of value whilst spreading our message regarding the environment, it is deeply satisfying to see a glass bottles that would have been disposed off enter our workshop and come out transformed reducing the amount of glass bottles going into landfill, pollution and waste.

The upcycling opportunity does not ensue without its counterpart of challenges and it is no secret that our society generates an enormous about of glass bottle waste on a daily basis whether from homes, bars and restaurants and this compound effect is leading to mammoth heaps of bottles going into landfill recognizably there are various clean-up companies that have been implemented in our society however the challenge is the bottles outweigh the collection or the land. KIJANI GLASS is making such a small change, which of course is important but a bigger and more dramatic impact is required to make a significant difference in the magnitude of the bottles going into landfill. Consumers also have the mindset that because it is upcycled it has to be cheap or even free and this is a such a serious misconception as bottle collection takes a great deal of patience, the process takes creativity, effort, time and technique. There are many people involved in each phase of the project from collection through to design and finally refreshed. The logistics of refreshed and not manufactured.

 “If we could give any advice to start up entrepreneurs who want to be responsible in their entrepreneurship would be to begin with the United Nations Blueprint of Sustainable Goals and incorporate them into your strategy and the expansion will take place from there. Then move onto making small eco-focused lifestyle changes both personally and profession as these two paths go together.

It takes time to clean up the pollution as it has been building up daily for decades and the solution will take persistence of believing in the cause, but little efforts over time will impact the environment. Adaptability is an important part of the journey as in order to effect change, you will be required to think and operate in different ways. Also, promote your work to raise awareness so that people know that you exist. To finish off, read as much as you can as this gives a clear idea and facilitates planning.

We are in this to leave the world a better place.

Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute

What are microplastics and why are they a concern

Contrary to popular opinion, microplastics (MPs) have been around since the late 1800s, when they were first discovered in soil samples. The exponential growth of plastic production has since caused the amounts of MPs particles in our environment to skyrocket. Defined by the United Nations Environment Programme as tiny plastic pellets, fragments and fibres measuring less than 5 mm in size, MPs come from a multitude of sources;, primary microplastics that are tiny particles designed for commercial use, such as toothpaste and cosmetics, as well as microfibers shed from clothing and other textiles, such as fishing nets whereas secondary microplastics are particles that result from the breakdown of larger plastic items, such as water bottles (Plate 1). Their small size allows them to pass through water filtration systems, resulting in their dramatic increase in the oceans and lakes where they can devastate organisms and local economies. Microplastics reach marine environments through a variety of pathways including wind, rivers, wastewater and stormwater (Plate 2). 

Plate 1: Global % contribution of microplastics sources (Source Boucher and Friot, 2017)

Plate 2: Global contribution of different microplastic pathways (Source Boucher and Friot, 2017)

Microplastics affect marine life in a variety of ways. They can be mistaken as food by unsuspecting organisms, leading to the ingestion of toxic substances and physical damage to the digestive tract of the animals as they are present in an array of colors and shapes and could potentially be mistaken as food sources. They also act as carriers of other contaminants, including microorganisms and substances, and can leach chemicals and other toxins into the food chain. MPs can also be introduced into the food chain due to their prevalence in surface waters, where marine zooplankton, small, free-floating aquatic microorganisms, often spend most of their time when feeding. Zooplankton are an essential food source for secondary consumers, such as fish and cetaceans, which can create a pathway for microplastics to enter the food chain, posing a danger to secondary producers, apex predators and potentially human health. In addition to direct impacts on marine life, microplastics can indirectly affect Kenya’s economy. The presence of MP in fish can affect seafood safety and negatively impact those who rely on fishing as a source of livelihood and income.

Where are they found in Kenya?

Microplastics are everywhere. Studies in Kenya have shown that over 90% of the microplastics present were fibres, with fragments and films making up the remaining 10%. suggesting high contamination of the ocean with these microplastics, likely arising from textiles, fishing nets used by local fishermen and bleaching of colored plastics. Areas such as Mikindani and Nyali Bridge have been reported to have high concentrations of microplastics linked to increased amounts of solid waste from surrounding industrial and domestic sectors. A recent study reported a concentration range of 0.02 to 2.04 items per cubic meter in 6 sites along the Kenyan Coast. The likely input is River Sabaki, which receives large amounts of packaging plastic waste from the Dandora dumpsite via the Nairobi River. 

A study conducted in the Kenyan exclusive economic zone waters reported the presence of MP between 110 and 255 items per cubic meter mainly from land-based sources in Kilifi, Malindi, Ngomeni, and Kipini, as well as riverine input from Sabaki and Tana that emptied into the ocean. Furthermore, the study reported PP (polypropylene) as being the dominant polymer present. This could be explained by the fact that PP is commonly used to manufacture items such as food containers, plastic tableware, disposable cups, plates and jugs, which are mainly used in urban centers and hotels adjacent that eventually reach the ocean where they are further broken down into MPs. A more striking finding is the transboundary transportation of MP with a past study encountering MPs in Dabaso, a nature reserve located in Watamu Marine National Park at concentrations as high as those of creeks near Mombasa town despite the fact that this is a protected area with limited human activity. The transboundary nature of MP results from their ability to travel great distances and highlights the need for global efforts to reduce plastic pollution.

The information currently available on MP is still scanty. Further research is still needed to gain a better understanding of their occurrence, distribution and their potential implications on the health of marine organisms and the environment as a whole

How do we deal with microplastic pollution?

There are two approaches to reducing the amount of microplastic in the environment. First, avoid having offspring by eliminating the parents’ approach. Avoiding, refusing and eliminating unnecessary, problematic and non-recyclable plastic packing will eliminate macro-plastics from the environment thereby reducing the chances of their degradation into microplastics. The second approach is a total ban on products with micro-bids.

To address issues of plastic pollution, Kenya recently launched National Marine Litter Management Action Plan 2022-2031 and National Strategy on Plastics and Microplastics in 2020 which outlines steps that must be taken to reduce the use of plastic and microplastics including developing a national policy and legal framework for plastic and microplastic management, promoting waste reduction and recycling initiatives, and enforcing existing regulations. Some of the key recommendations aligned to these steps for reducing microplastics in the environment include 1) Reducing the use of single-use plastics and promoting the use of biodegradable packaging; 2) Implementing proper waste management; 3) Strictly enforcing laws prohibiting the dumping of plastics into the ocean; 4) Raising awareness on the dangers of plastics and microplastics and the importance of reducing or avoiding their use and 5) Collaboration between governments and other organizations to develop efficient and effective microplastic removal from waste and stormwater.

We hope these measures will help reduce the amounts of microplastics in the marine environment, aid in protecting Kenya’s marine life and support the blue economy drive. Let’s be the generation that takes a stand against microplastics and works to safeguard the ocean’s diverse biological resources for long-term sustainability including supporting our planet’s economy.

Selected reading

1. Boucher, J., & Friot, D. (2017). Primary microplastics in the oceans: a global evaluation of sources (Vol. 10). Gland, Switzerland: Iucn.
2. Kerubo, J. O., Muthumbi, A. W., Onyari, J. M., Kimani, E. N., & Robertson-Andersson, D. (2020). Microplastic pollution in the surface waters of creeks along the Kenyan coast, Western Indian Ocean (WIO). Western Indian Ocean Journal of Marine Science, 19(2), 75-88.
3. Kosore, C. M., Ojwang, L., Maghanga, J., Kamau, J., Shilla, D., Everaert, G., … & Shashoua, Y. (2022). Microplastics in Kenya’s marine nearshore surface waters: Current status. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 179, 113710.
4. Kosore, C., Ojwang, L., Maghanga, J., Kamau, J., Kimeli, A., Omukoto, J., … & Ndirui, E. (2018). Occurrence and ingestion of microplastics by zooplankton in Kenya’s marine environment: first documented evidence. African Journal of Marine Science, 40(3), 225-234.
5. Okuku, E. O., Kiteresi, L. I., Owato, G., Mwalugha, C., Omire, J., Otieno, K., … & Mulupi, L. (2020). Marine macro-litter composition and distribution along the Kenyan Coast: The first-ever documented study. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 159, 111497.
6. Onyango, W. A. (2020). Types and abundance of microplastics in macro-invertebrates along the Kenyan coast (Doctoral dissertation, University of Nairobi).