Editor's Review

The government noted that the new directive should be complied with within 90 days.

The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has directed that all organic waste generated by households, public, private, and religious institutions be segregated and placed only in biodegradable garbage bags and bin liners.

In a statement on Monday, April 22, NEMA said the directive was in line with the ban on the manufacture, importation, and use of plastic carrier bags and flat bags used for commercial and household packaging.

NEMA noted that the new directive should be complied with within 90 days. 

The authority also directed that organic waste be collected separately from other types of waste and transported to a designated material recovery facility

“From the foregoing therefore and to ensure environmentally sound management of the organic waste fraction, the Authority hereby directs that within 90 days from the date of this notice all organic waste generated by households, private sector and public sector institutions, religious institutions, private and public functions, and events; shall strictly be segregated and placed in 100% biodegradable garbage bags/bin liners only,” the notice read in part.

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A screengrab image of organic waste. 

NEMA pointed out that the use of conventional plastic bags and bin liners for the collection of organic waste should therefore cease immediately.

Further, NEMA also directed county governments and private organic waste collectors to provide 100 per cent biodegradable garbage bags and bin liners to their customers.

“All County Governments and private waste service providers licensed by NEMA are required to provide to their clients the 100% biodegradable garbage bags/bin liners only,” NEMA added.