Firms suspend manufacture of Industrial and non-industrial packaging
David Indeje
Kenyan manufacturers of Industrial and non-industrial packaging have temporarily suspended their manufacturing and delivery operations following the recent ban on plastics. The companies have suspended manufacturing ‘to enable them get clarifications on certain areas in order to continue their operations according to the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM). According to a formal notification from plastic bag manufacturers of Industrial and non-industrial packaging KAM says they looking at:
One, the fate of their Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBs) permits which expired on 28th August pending further notice.
Two, clearance letters from the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) for both manufacturers and their users.
KAM says the manufacturers also seek clarification on the meaning of extended producer/user responsibility and or effective manufacturer and user take back schemes for manufacturers and customers and finally, the enforcement intervention and implementation for manufacturers and users. “Some of the most important household products adversely affected include salt and maize flour. Distribution and supply of fertiliser will also be disrupted because the flat plastic liners used in their packaging are affected by the ban,” says the Manufacturer’s Association. “In addition to this, Kenya stands to lose export revenue because there is currently uncertainty about the manufacture of plastic flat bags used for packaging of, flowers, fish, tea and Export Processing Zones (EPZ) exports,” they add.
Some of the manufacturer’s who have suspended operations include: Bob Mill, Kenslat, Silpack industries, King plastics, General plastics, PIL, Polythene industries, Polyflex industries, Uni Plastics, Laneeb Plastics, Hi-plast ltd, Packaging masters among others. According to NEMA, the ban on the use, manufacture and importation of plastic bags used for commercial and household packaging applies to: carrier bags and flat bags constructed with handles and with or without. However, it has exempted plastic bags used for primary industrial packaging as ‘long as they Are used for industrial packaging at the source of the product and are not available on sale at the counter or given freely outside the industrial setting.’ This includes disposal bags for handling of biomedical and hazardous waste and garbage bin liners. “These bags must be clearly labelled the name of the industry manufacturing the product and the end-user,” says NEMA. NEMA requires manufacturers, importers and users of plastic bags used for primary industrial packaging to obtain clearance letters allowing them to continue with the manufacture, importation and use of the plastic bags packaging.
Those found producing, selling or even using plastic bags will risk imprisonment of up to four years or fines of Ksh 40,000.
