At least 40 per cent of environmental pollution in Kiambu sub-county is made up of used polythene papers and bags which customers dispose anywhere especially if there are no litter bins.
According to sub-county environment officer, James Kaboro who was speaking in his office on Thursday, the percentage is as a result of everyday use of polythene bags in wrapping almost everything that a consumer purchases.
The officer lamented that even with the litter bins 90 per cent is polythene which is disposed openly.
He further added that in many cases where people complain over lacking drainage, it’s not because there are no drainage but its due to the polythene bags which block the outlets hence soil and other substances carried by water accumulates and cover the drainage's leaving them at the same level with the ground.
Kaboro further added that even in the rural areas where polythene might seem not to be so unfriendly, it’s a menace to both their farms and their livestock. In farms it hinders the circulation of nutrients and air in the soil while in animals, if consumed can even lead to death especially the young ones.
He further added there are also cases of death in children because of suffocation caused by the polythene bags when playing with them and accidentally blocking their nostrils as there are impermeable and air cannot pass through.
Kaboro reckoned that in order to control the menace, the county government should at least put up one recycle industry in every sub county which will handle used polythene bags and papers and also to build good disposal areas where the bags will be disposed for recycling.
He also urged the area residents to use the bags sparingly or reuse and also improvise on other materials like sisal bags ‘chondos’ when doing their shopping to help curb the pollution. He also urged them to be vigilant and self-disciplined when disposing the bags.