Disincentivizing Plastics in Kenya

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Disincentivizing Plastics in Kenya
by Aldrin Aujero \| 29-08-2017 12:53 1
Kenya is a country that is fastly progressing towards sustainability. Just this Monday, the country passed a legislation that would effectively ban the use of plastic bags in Kenya. Not only does the law ban the use of plastic bags but more importantly it also bans its manufacture and importation. Most countries only ban the use of plastic bags in commercial supermarkets, case in point, Pasig Philippines, my home town. However, the banning of the manufacture and importation of plastic bags ascertains stricter control of the flow of plastics allowing the country to move towards a more sustainable future. In addition to the broad range of the new legislation, one of its most effective aspects is also the extent to which it fines violators. A report from (newvision.co.ug) claims that fines could go as $38,000, by far the highest fine imposed on plastic bags. However, the legislation wasn't welcomed as warmly as one would expect. In fact, the legislation was originally passed in February this year but the implementation was delayed so as to give more time to the public, consumers and producers alike, to adjust to the regulation. Major supermarkets are now encouraging the use of resuable eco-bags in replacement of plastic bags and are subsidizing parts of the costs highlighting the strong sense of environmentalism within the country. In an age where the interests of private institutions are being prioritized above sustainability, the case of Kenya provides an insightful example on how strong legislation is possible and how it can gear a country forward to progress.

Dormant user Aldrin Aujero