KAM Lauds Ministry’s Move to Recycle Plastic Bottles

The Kenya Association of Manufacturers has lauded the direction taken by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources to encourage plastic bottle manufacturers to develop plans to recycle the bottles.

According to KAM, the Government’s move to embrace a holistic waste management approach to managing PET plastic bottle waste is a much-needed intervention.

“Working in partnership with MENR, we endeavor to establish long-lasting solutions towards the protection and nurturing of our environment in an effort to secure the future of our country,” read a statement from KAM.

Late last month, the environmental body, NEMA, had issued a deadline to plastic bottle manufacturers to clear their stock saying that the products would be banned in a three-month period.

“The challenges in the use and consumption of many products has always been and continues to be waste management. The knowledge and prudent exercise on proper disposal need to be coupled with the instruments and infrastructure to help recycle and re-use waste material,” said KAM.

According to the manufacturers association, a sustainable waste management solution looks at addressing behavior change and economic inequality which lie at the heart of our waste problem. This involves creating awareness for proper waste disposal right from the home to waste collection, transportation, segregation, and recycling – thereby stimulating a thriving and valuable industry for the country.

“In our commitment for a cleaner Kenya, we are involving all stakeholders in the development of inclusive and sustainable solutions. It is for this reason that we formed a PET sub-sector in 2017, which draws membership from private businesses and manufacturers involved in the PET value chain. Following the concept of Extended Producer Responsibility, the sector aims to work in partnership with the government and its agencies to develop sustainable solutions for the management of PET related waste,”