SUSTAINABLE WASTE MANAGEMENT PRACTICE

The project of recycling plastic waste into eco-friendly aesthetic flowers and trees is a very rare concept in my county, it is unique and the products are sustainable since recyclable plastic creates a more sustainbale and circular economy. The project is in its early stages and many young people are being mentored on innovative recycling ideas to increase base and impact. I am looking forward to establishing a spacious recycling centre where children, youth and community would engage in recycling sessions as well as more research on new ideas to ensure we scale up our sustainable waste management practice.

Overview of the issue and your approach: Climate change is a global issue and concerted efforts are needed to address the situation. Plastic pollution has become a serious environmental problem worldwide, and my country Kenya is no exception.

Kenya is one of the countries in Africa that has been worst hit by plastic pollution. The country has struggled with plastic waste, facing a severe waste crisis for decades, and the situation has worsened in recent years.
Plastic pollution is flooding our planet, harming people’s health, destroying biodiversity and fuelling the climate crisis.
Plastic waste has infiltrated various ecosystems, including oceans, rivers, and wildlife habitats. The situation is dire, and concerted efforts are needed to tackle this menace.

A significant portion of the plastic waste in Kenya is from single-use plastic products such as straws, plastic bags, and bottles. These products are widely used in the country, and their disposal is a significant problem. Most of the plastic waste is not recycled, and it ends up in landfills or pollutes the environment.

Study estimates have shown that the amount of plastic that becomes waste across the country is 0.5 to 1.3 million tons per year, of which only eight percent is recycled. The rest is landfilled, incinerated, or released back into the environment.
The plastic waste problem has severe consequences for the environment and human health. The waste clogs rivers and waterways, leading to flooding and the destruction of habitats for aquatic life. It also affects the quality of air, water, and soil, leading to health problems for humans and wildlife. Plastic waste is also a significant contributor to climate change, as it releases harmful greenhouse gases when incinerated.

My approach include embarking on a mission and journey of picking and recycling plastic waste materials into eco-friendly products like aesthetic flowers, laundry baskets, flower vases, shopping bags, trees, pen holders and etcetera.

The stakeholders in your project: I work closely with County Government of Kisumu and civil society organiizations like HEDSO, TINADA and ECO-LUSION in terms of strengtheing synergies