Kenya faces a significant challenge with plastic pollution, generating over 966 thousand tonnes of plastic waste annually, according to the UNEP Sustainable Manufacturing and Environmental Pollution (SMEP) programme. Alarmingly, 37 kilotons of this waste find their way into the environment and oceans each year, causing severe harm to wildlife, ecosystems, and human health.
In a progressive move, the Kenyan government, through the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), banned single-use carrier bags in 2017. This ban led to substantial efforts by retailers to eliminate these bags from their stores. For example, Carrefour has phased out single-use shopping bags, offering reusable and recyclable alternatives. Before the ban, Kenyan supermarkets used an estimated 100 million single-use plastic bags annually. By 2021, NEMA reported a 95 percent compliance rate with the ban, highlighting the industry’s and government’s commitment to sustainable practices.
However, the challenge of plastic pollution persists. Despite the ban, the reuse and recycling rates of shopping bags remain low. According to the OECD Global Plastics Outlook, only 9 percent of global plastic waste is recycled. Locally, USAID’s “Unlocking the Plastics Value Chain” project indicates that Kenya recycles only 7 percent of its plastic, with 92 percent being mismanaged.
Christophe Orcet, Regional Director – East Africa at Majid Al Futtaim Retail
Christophe Orcet, Regional Director – East Africa at Majid Al Futtaim Retail, emphasizes the crucial role retailers play in encouraging customers to recycle. “Involving end users in recycling is pivotal in combatting plastic pollution. Efforts must be made to empower everyone to adopt sustainable lifestyles and divert plastic waste for recycling,” Orcet stated.
Retailers like Carrefour are leading by example with initiatives such as the ‘Free Replacement for Life’ shopping bags program, which allows customers to exchange old, worn-out reusable bags for new ones at no cost. This initiative promotes environmental protection and offers cost savings for customers.
As Plastic Free July is celebrated, Orcet calls on retailers to create initiatives that encourage sustainable shopping behaviors. He urges customers to make planet-friendly choices by embracing the reuse and recycling of shopping bags and other plastics.
The collective efforts of retailers and customers are essential to reducing plastic consumption and fostering a circular economy. By working together, Kenya can make significant strides in tackling plastic pollution and protecting the environment for future generations.