Kenya’s Ministry of Environment and Forestry in partnership with Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) on Friday, February 1, 2019 launched an initiative to engage public schools in safe disposal and recycling of plastic bottles.
Chief Administrative Secretary of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Mohamed Elmi, said this at the launching of the programme.
Senior officials said the school-based campaign to promote sustainable management of plastic bottles would create additional green jobs in the country.
“The new project to eradicate pollution linked to haphazard disposal of plastic bottles in our environment by involving school children will boost the overall green agenda in the country,” said Elmi.
He said the government had been exploring innovative measures to boost circular economy by engaging the youth in recycling plastic bottles widely used by the food and beverage industry.
“The ministry has signed a cooperative framework with KAM to enhance collection and safe disposal of plastic bottles,” Elmi said.
He added that the government had created a conducive policy framework to boost disposal, collection and recycling of plastic waste linked with grave threat to the environment and human health.
“It is important to empower our children with the knowledge and tools to enable them become environmental champions.
“Our goal is to ensure the next generation make informed decisions in natural resource use and waste management,” said Elmi.
Muchai Kunyiha, Vice Chairman of KAM, said a strategic engagement with learning institutions was expected to revitalise action on plastic waste.
“We are keen to tackle the plastic pollution menace as a team and are convinced that school children can be effective champions for safe disposal and recycling of non-biodegradable waste,” said Kunyiha.
He noted that Kenya had joined the ranks of African countries that had come up with innovative measures to manage plastic waste.
“By creating a strong ecosystem to support collection and recycling of plastic waste, we expect to stimulate economic growth and unleash new jobs for the youth,” said Muchai.
