Stakeholders call for urgent action on plastic waste management in Murang’a

Poor disposal of plastic waste is increasingly threatening drainage systems, water sources, and the environment in Murang’a County, stakeholders have warned, calling for stronger measures to promote responsible waste management.

The stakeholders said plastic bottles, bags, and other non-biodegradable materials were increasingly finding their way into drainage channels and rivers, raising the risk of flooding and water contamination, especially during the rainy season.

Speaking during a clean-up exercise organized by Pioneer School in Murang’a town on Saturday, they urged residents, businesses, and institutions to embrace proper waste segregation and disposal to keep the environment clean.

Pioneer School scouts leader and teacher Muriithi Kamau said both levels of government needed to strengthen measures aimed at controlling plastic waste, noting that the use of plastic carrier bags appeared to be gradually returning, despite the previous national ban on the same.

Kamau noted that there was also a need to promote reusable alternatives, particularly water bottles, to reduce dependence on single-use plastic containers. He said schools had an important role to play in cultivating responsible environmental practices among young people by teaching them how to reduce, reuse, and properly dispose of waste.

“Members of the public need to be responsible, and especially young people need to be trained to dispose of waste properly,” he said.

Murang’a County Executive Committee Member for Environment Mary Magochi said the county government had developed a solid waste management policy and established designated waste disposal areas.

She said the county was now focusing on waste separation at the source to ensure recyclable materials such as plastics were not mixed with organic waste.

“In Murang’a, we collect about 300 tonnes of waste daily. About 20 per cent of this waste is plastic, and we are partnering with various organizations to recycle it,” Magochi said.

She added that organic waste was already being processed into organic fertilizer, providing an opportunity to reduce the amount of waste taken to disposal sites while supporting agricultural activities.

The county executive urged residents to take greater responsibility for waste management, even as the country prepares for the October-November-December rains, warning that improperly discarded plastics could block drainage channels and contribute to flooding.

“Currently, we are unclogging our drainage systems in our towns. Unfortunately, there are people who continue to dispose of water bottles and other plastics carelessly, and these may cause flooding during the rainy season,” she observed.

Magochi urged residents to use designated waste collection points and avoid throwing plastics and other solid waste into drainage channels, rivers, and open spaces.

She also encouraged households to harvest rainwater, saying proper management of water and waste would help communities cope with periods of heavy rainfall, as well as reduce pressure on the existing water sources.

Joe Caleb of Murang’a Water and Sanitation Company (Muwasco) said poor waste disposal posed a direct threat to water sources because the company relies on rivers and other natural sources to supply residents with water.

Caleb urged residents to protect rivers and other water catchment areas from plastic and other solid waste, warning that contamination of water sources could have serious consequences for public health and the cost of water treatment.

He said plastic waste should be separated from other forms of waste at the household level to make collection, recycling, and safe disposal easier.

The stakeholders said effective plastic waste management requires a coordinated approach involving households, schools, businesses, county authorities, waste handlers, and community organizations.

They encouraged residents to reduce the use of single-use plastics, carry reusable shopping and water containers, separate waste at the source, and ensure recyclable materials are delivered to authorized collection and recycling points.

They also called for continued environmental education, particularly in schools, to instill responsible waste management habits among young people and create a culture of environmental conservation.

By Bernard Munyao