ADOPTING TO LIFE BEYOND PLASTIC BAN November 2017 Presented by: A. Mbutu – Environment officer

PRESENTATION OUTLINE INTRODUCTION LEGAL REQUIREMENTS PLASTIC PROBLEMS AND IMPACTS BAN EXEMPTION ALTERNATIVES CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS.

1.0 INTRODUCTION In 2010, a survey carried out on the use of plastic bags in Kenya indicated that an estimated 24 million plastic bags are used monthly. These plastic bags take between 20 – 1000 years to bio-degrade and thus have long presence in our environment. Kenya, like most developing countries is yet to have efficient and eco-friendly plastic bags waste management strategies. As a result, there is widespread plastic bags pollution across most ecosystems and the situation gets worse each day. KenGen is committed, to pollution control.

2.0 LEGAL COMPLIANCE Ban on Plastics in Kenya -Gazette Notice No.2334 EMCA cap 387, of 14th March 2017. From 28th August 2017 all The ban on the use, manufacture and importation applies to all plastic carrier bags and flat bags used for commercial and household packaging.

……..LEGAL COMPLIANCE……. The Gazette Notice was published on 28th February 2017 Manufacturers and importers declare remaining stocks by the due date to NEMA. 40 other countries to ban plastic bags or taxed single-use plastic bags.

………LEGAL COMPLIANCE……. The penalties of using, manufacturing or importing plastic in kenya include four years in prison and up to Ksh 4,000,000 in fines.

3.0 CAUSES OF PLASTIC PROBLEMS Improper garbage system of the area Lack of proper knowledge about the effects. Lack of social responsibility and ownership. It cost more to recycle

IMPACTS OF THE PLASTIC Pollutes air, land and water and exposes workers to toxic chemicals, including  green house gases and carcinogens. (dioxins) Breeding grounds for mosquitoes, which cause malaria Plastic buried deep in landfills can leach harmful chemicals that spread into groundwater Blockage of drainages ,sewer lines and causing floods Plastic Bags Affect domestic wildlife and Marine life Plastic kills domestic animals through choking and blocking the digestive systems

4.0 PLASTIC BAN EXEMPTIONS Flat plastic bags used for industrial primary packaging with following conditions Used for industrial primary packaging at the source of the product . Bags must be clearly labelled (Printed) the name of the industry and product packaged. Plastic sheets used for construction, greenhouses, covering, etc Cling Film/ Stretch Films used for wrappings Bopp Self Adhesive Tapes

……..PLASTIC BAN EXEMPTIONS………… How do asbestos fibers get in the air? ……..PLASTIC BAN EXEMPTIONS………… Category 1: Plastic carrier bags-NO EXEMPTIONS  All bags in this category are banned. For clarity these are bags commonly known as “Juala” that are used as secondary packages for items in shops, markets etc.

………PLASTIC BAN EXEMPTIONS…….. Category 2: Flat bags Flat bags used for carrying items outside industrial setting e.g. groceries, garbage, are banned. However, in this category EXEMPTION is extended for bags used for industrial primary packaging where the product is direct contact with the plastic and is done at the source.

………PLASTIC BAN EXEMPTIONS……… ………PLASTIC BAN EXEMPTIONS………. Category 3: Flat bags used as Garbage and hazardous (e.g. medical waste, chemicals etc.) waste liners Hazardous waste liners- must be legibly and permanently labelled and color-coded and are incinerated together with the waste. Garbage Liners- must be are clearly labelled and have demonstrated effective and efficient

………PLASTIC BAN EXEMPTIONS……… Duty free shops at airports are considered to be outside the Kenyan territory, bags used at this point are not affected by the ban. Traveller coming into Kenya with duty free bags shall be required to leave the same at the entry points.

5.0. ALTERNATIVES FOR PLASTICS Guidelines on the potential alternatives All bags made from non-plastic materials e.g. jute/sisal, Paper, cloth, Papyrus Woven polypropylene plastic bags (gunny bags)

……ALTERNATIVES FOR PLASTICS….. Non-woven polypropylene plastic bags (cloth-like bags) Laminated polypropylene bags 100% biodegradable bags (starch and cassava bags) Polyolefin fibre bags

……ALTERNATIVES FOR PLASTICS……. Designated public plastic drop off points Nakumatt outlet Uchumi out let Tuskys outlet NEMA licensed plastic recyclers will collect them from these points from 31st August 2017 Seven Fork primary school Matendeni guest house

……ALTERNATIVES…. If we continue like this, by 2050, we will have more plastic in the ocean than fish," said Habib El-Habr, an expert on marine litter working with the UN Environment Programme in Kenya.

KENYA ADJUSTS TO LIFE WITHOUT BEYOND PLASTICS

KENYA ADJUSTS TO LIFE WITHOUT BEYOND PLASTICS New seedlings at the moment must be planted on bio-degradable bags. KFS and its stakeholders have over 150 Million seedlings in plastic bags in different parts of the country Gitaru tree nursery has 70,000 seedlings in plastic bags To phase out plastic bags by April 2018 and replace them using use of bio-degradable one

CASE OF PLASTIC BAN IN RWANDA Rwanda has chosen to ban plastic bags instead of imposing taxes on plastic bags to save lives and economy as it is developing country in 2008.

7.0 RECOMMENDATIONS A deliberate MOVE must be made to safeguard KenGen premises as plastic free zones amongst other corporate agencies. KFS and KWS are among the first government agencies to ban plastic in all their premises Institute a rule where guests declare and surrender PLASTICS AT ALL ENTRY points

Introduce reusable water bottles for staff. ….RECOMMENDATIONS.. Integrate the ban in our waste management strategies, enhance green procurements. Introduce reusable water bottles for staff. Mainstream plastic ban in the contracted services and in ISO documentation. Enhance staff awareness on the requirements of the plastic ban in Kenya

CONCLUSION If these proposals are adopted, KenGen fraternity will seamlessly fit in to the life beyond plastics, Enhance compliance. Contribute towards local and global pollution control.