Kenya’s National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has introduced a proposed three-colour coding system for non-hazardous waste, designating green for organic waste, blue for recyclables, and black for general waste.
This initiative is mandated by the Sustainable Waste Management Act of 2022, which requires the establishment of a national colour coding system.
While seemingly straightforward, the colour coding system has implications for manufacturers, waste management companies, and consumers. It is part of a broader push by NEMA to improve waste management practices in the country.
Previous measures include the 2017 ban on single-use plastic bags, which has led to the emergence of a reusable bag market, and the more recent ban on non-biodegradable garbage bags.
Despite these efforts, challenges persist. Critics argue that NEMA’s rapid implementation of regulations often disrupts existing value chains and increases costs without providing sufficient support.
The ubiquity of plastic bottles has also hindered efforts to ban them entirely. Moreover, a lack of policy incentives for the recycling sector remains a significant obstacle to achieving a truly sustainable waste management system.
Kenya Leads Africa’s Climate Change Response with Innovative Policies
