A heap of discarded plastic bags (photo|citizen digital)Kenya's recent ban on plastic bags on Saturday received a boost as it was echoed well by Environment ministers from across the world at the UN Environment Meeting held in Nairobi.
The ban which took effect in September after a gazette notice In February advocated alternative materials to protect the environment.
Geoffrey Wahungu,the National Environment Management Authority director general told the Assembly that there is no turning back and that the deliberations on the ban had taken more than 15 years and the Kenya Association of Manufacturers had watered down all the efforts made.“We had the political support and so far there has been support from the public,” stated Wahungu.
Mr Wahungu, however, noted that there was a challenge of finding alternatives. But he reported that women and youth groups have come up with the alternatives.
The theme of this year's UNEA session is 'Towards a Pollution-Free Planet'.
Mr Wahungu further revealed that the ban has not been received well by manufacturers who claim they were excluded from consultations.
"Manufacturers who were still in denial came face to face with the ban. There were accusations and negative information of not involving as many people as possible,"he said.
There is still a lot to be done, he added.
Wahungu noted that there is still a problem of differencing whether the plastic bags still circulating in the market is an old stock or not.“The challenge is that we cann’ tell whether plastics still in the market are old stock or there are manufacturers still producing them. We’re waiting for the newly elected county officials to get organised and mop up,” Wahungu said.