KOT can’t believe Nema has banned plastic bags for waste collection
Kenyans on Twitter have called on National Environmental Management Authority (Nema) to reconsider its decision to include garbage bags in the ban that takes effect on August 28.
Anyone caught breaking the law will be liable to a fine of up to Sh4 million.
But while most Kenyans are agreeable with the ban on polythene bags used for shopping and other packaging, some were taken aback to learn that they will have to look for alternatives when it comes to garbage collection.
With a broken waste management system, most Kenyans in urban areas rely on plastic bags to manage waste before it is collected to eventual delivery to the various dumping sites.
It all started when Nema reminded Kenyans that they had under a week to comply.
It's officially 13 DAYS to go for compliance with the plastic bags ban notice. @NemaKenya @ConsumersKenya #NoPlasticbagsKe pic.twitter.com/905EXvekJI
— NEMA Kenya (@NemaKenya) August 15, 2017
A Twitter user then asked them to clarify on the alternatives for garbage collection.
Please advise alternative for garbage/waste collection? Your FAQ includes these bags as ‘flat bag’, and included in the ban.
— Christoph Neale (@christoph_neale) August 15, 2017
Nema insisted the black polythene bags had to go too.
Yes, Garbage bags are included as flat bags. We are advising people to use garbage bins without the need to use bin liners.
— NEMA Kenya (@NemaKenya) August 15, 2017
This did not augur well with Kenyans on Twitter.
How now Nema? You’ll give us money to buy these bins? Ebu tell your bosses to go back and really think about this ban.
— Muthoni ✊?? (@sonnienjoki) August 16, 2017
The whole purpose of the flat bags is to make it easier for garbage disposal, hakuna maji hii Nairobi ya kushinda tukiosha dustbin kila siku
— Muthoni ✊?? (@sonnienjoki) August 16, 2017
These guys need to go back to the drawing board & come up with practical sustainable solutions. A little extension will not hurt. Win-win!!
— Mwangi Ga (@MwangiGa) August 15, 2017
Wow, that’ll be so messy. Then how will the trash be disposed in the garbage trucks? Do we leave our bins out on the roadside? So many Q’s.
— Kawi Rincuni Obura (@Kawiria) August 15, 2017
Eh! So how will garbage collection trucks be collecting garbage though cause we can’t give them our bins?
— Maggy… (@nw_maggy) August 15, 2017
This is not practical just because of the way we nowadays live. e.g in a flat of 16 houses, where will the garbage bins be located?
— François (@bapfrancis) August 16, 2017
How shallow? Do you know why we have used bin liners in the first place. Hiyo ban mlegeze ama ipite na kazi ya mtu. Free advice.
— Tony Muturi (@tonymuturi) August 15, 2017
