National Sustainable Waste Management Policy 2019

Abstract

This Policy will advance Kenya towards a more sustainable and circular economy. It will move the country towards realization of the Zero Waste principle, whereby waste generation is minimized or prevented. It will help ensure that waste is collected, separated at the source, reused and recycled, and that the remaining waste stream is destined to a secure, sanitary landfill. If proper regulatory frameworks and incentives are in place, such a system will build long-term resilience, while generating new business and economic opportunities and providing broad environmental and social benefits to all Kenyans. Effective sustainable waste management will create value from the waste stream through re-use and recycling, formalizing the wastepickers’ sector to improve livelihoods, improving landfill operations and management including capturing and utilizing gases like methane emitted from landfills. In addition closing open dumpsites; capping landfills, reducing plastic pollution in the marine environment, and creating new jobs in the sector, especially for youth and women, in waste collection and recycling will be other benefits. Kenya aims to transition the waste sector in every county away from low collection rates, illegal dumping and uncontrolled dumpsites to affordable waste collection, recycling and composting, and minimise waste fractions that are finally disposed to a well-engineered and regulated landfill. As Kenya’s economy and cities grow at accelerated rate consequent to devolution, the country’s waste management challenges have reached major proportions. The current poor state of waste management is a public health and environmental threat, a loss of valuable resources for job and wealth creation, and an eyesore that negatively affects tourism and the well-being of all Kenyans...