The National Environment and Management Authority (NEMA) has issued a notice to manufacturers, importers, and users of plastic flat and carrier bags.
In an advert on November 7, NEMA noted that the government of Kenya banned the manufacture, importation and use of plastic bags and flat bags used for commercial and household packaging.
“To achieve this, the manufacture, importation and use of carrier bags and flat bags for commercial and household packaging was to transition to non-plastic packaging options.
Only essential primary industrial plastic packaging was to continue with the approval of NEMA (through a clearance system),” said NEMA.
Plastic Ban Violations
However, the Authority noted that there are violations regarding the ban on plastic carrier bags and flat bags.
To begin with, NEMA said there is covert manufacture, importation, sale, and use of the clear, flimsy plastic flat bags mainly used by small scale traders.
“There is importation, manufacture and sale of garbage bags (bin liners), seedling planting bags and zip lock bags (among others) the retail outlets contrary to the laid down rules,” said the Authority.
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Additionally, the Authority revealed that goods that were traditionally being packaged in paper balers such as flour, matchboxes, books, printing paper and cigarettes are now largely being baled in plastic bags.
Also, it noted that a variety of plastic balers (PE, HDPE, PP sacks and even non-woven) have now been introduced and are being used under the guise that they were not within the scope of the plastic ban.
“The wide-spread use of non-recyclable laminates (which could otherwise be done in paper packaging) is already proving to be a recycling challenge,” it added.
The Authority admitted that the transition to biodegradable (compostable) seedling planting bags is long overdue.
NEMA Directives
In the quest to end plastic pollution, the Authority reiterated that the manufacture, importation, sale and use of the dear, flimsy plastic flat bags and all carrier bags is strictly banned.
NEMA recommended a shift to the 100% biodegradable (compostable) as alternatives.
In addition, the Authority prohibited the importation, manufacture, and sale of garbage bags (bin liners), seedling planting bags and zip-lock bags at retail outlets.
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“The use of plastic balers made from any form of plastic polymer is prohibited. All users must therefore apply for NEMA’s approval.
Manufacturers and importers of plastic balers shall be required to supply such balers only to users with valid NEMA approvals,” said the Authority.
Furthermore, the Authority allowed use of only 100% biodegradable (compostable) plastics for seedling planting.
Also, the users, manufacturers and importers of non-recyclable plastic laminates are expected to submit a comprehensive strategy on the management of laminates, alternatives and phase out.
