Kiambu launches proper waste collection, recycling system
By Mathew Ndungu, October 20, 2020
Kiambu County government has launched a waste sorting and segregation program aimed at enlightening stakeholders about the advantages of waste sorting for value addition and job creation.
The program will be undertaken in partnership with The Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) and Takataka Ni Mali and will see business community, private garbage collectors and the community at large engaged in sorting and segregating waste at source and promoting re-use, recycling and recovery thus leading to waste minimization and creation of job opportunities.
Already, the county has received 50 sorting bins from KAM and Takataka Ni Mali which shall be placed in major towns within selected Sub-Counties.
Speaking during the training of over 50 stakeholders in Thika town, the county executive member in charge of Environment Water Natural Resources and Climate Change David Kuria encouraged all stakeholders to embrace recycling chains which involve collection, sorting and separation, washing and shredding among other processes.
He said that the processes which require manpower will translate to job creation ultimately helping reduce crimes.
He noted that waste segregation is the first step in a compliant waste management plan that will help the environment and also help stakeholders make money out of recycling and value addition.
“For many businesses, the most common form of segregation is separating out recyclable waste such as paper, plastic and glass from landfill and compostable waste. The inclusion of other types of waste in recycling containers causes several problems, all stemming from the fact that contamination reduces the quality of recycled paper and plastic products,” he said.
On the other hand, Kuria noted that post-collection segregation takes longer, costs more and can end up harming the environment if it leads to recyclable waste being sent to landfill.
“The simplest way to solve this problem is to solve it before it starts by practicing proper on-site segregation of waste. Clearly-marked containers for different kinds of waste and well-understood recycling procedures can save space, time, money and effort in recycling your business’s waste products,” he added.
Kuria was accompanied by Director Environment Patrick Theuri, Kenya Association of Manufacturers Central Chapter Chairman Maina Ruo, Deputy Head Policy Research and Advocacy KAM Miriam Bomet, Taka Taka ni Mali CEO Eliazer Mabwai among other stakeholders who pledged support for the initiative.