PROPER WASTE DISPOSAL: Kiambu County launches Waste Segregation Bins

The Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM), in partnership with Takataka Ni Mali and Kiambu County, through the Directorate of Environment and Waste management, on Friday launched a waste sorting and segregation pilot programme in Thika Sub-County.

The programme is aimed at enlightening stakeholders, business community, private garbage collectors and the community at large, about the advantages of waste sorting and segregation as well as proper disposal for recycling and value-addition to waste, thus creating employment.

The county received 50 sorting bins from KAM and Takataka Ni Mali which shall be placed in the Sub-Counties.

The directorate encouraged the community to form Waste Sorting and Segregation groups who shall be supported by various partners and the county as well. They were informed of the importance of making it as easy as possible for your people to correctly segregate their waste through proper labelling and making it clear why segregation was so important. 

They were encouraged to Create recycling chains which involved collection, sorting and separation, washing and shredding among other processes all which required manpower translating to job creation/employment.

Over 50 stake holders were trained on this initiative.

Waste Segregation is the first step in a compliant waste management plan that will help the environment and also help make money out of recycling and value addition. For many business, the most common form of segregation is separating out recyclable waste such as paper, plastic and glass from landfill and compostable waste. 

The inclusion of other types of waste in recycling containers causes several problems, all stemming from the fact that contamination reduces the quality of recycled paper and plastic products.

Post-collection segregation takes longer, costs more and can wind up harming the environment if it leads to recyclable waste being sent to landfill. The simplest way to solve this problem is to solve it before it starts by practising proper on-site segregation of waste. Clearly-marked containers for different kinds of waste and well-understood recycling procedures can save space, time, money and effort in recycling your business’s waste products. 

The Chief Guest was the CECM Environment Water Natural Resources and Climate Change David Kuria accompanied by Director Environment Patrick Theuri, Kenya Association of Manufacturers Central Chapter Chairman Maina Ruo, Deputy Head Policy Research and Advocacy KAM Miriam Bomet, Taka Taka ni Mali CEO Eliazer Mabwai, Maureen Kwamboka - Nema , County Assembly Environment Chairman Lawrence Kariuk,MCA Kamenu Ward and other Environment officers.