Managing plastic waste crisis in Kenyan urban centers with circular economy approach

Abstract

The objective of the study was to explore how plastic waste management crisis in Kenyan urban centres can be addressed sustainably through circular economic approaches. Kenyan urban centres are faced with plastic waste challenges which includes environmental pollution, water trenches blockages, causing animal and human health impacts. Despite the measures taken by the Kenyan national and county governments such as banning of single use plastic bags and sustainable waste management policies, there is a need to explore on the legal and policy framework for sustainable plastic waste management Kenyan urban areas. In addition, the study seeks to understand the consumers’ behaviour and attitudes to plastic waste management.

The purpose of the study was to use both quantitative and qualitative research methods to blend the results for better understanding of the research question. In the quantitative part of the research, a structured questionnaire was used to collect data on the three areas of study which are the circular economic initiatives used in managing plastic waste, the legal and policy framework and the consumer’s behaviour and attitudes in plastic waste management. Statistics Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used in descriptive analysis of the study. Qualitative part of the research was based on ethnographic observation and relevant legislative literature. Content analysis was used to explore the thematic areas of study observed and literature.

The results indicated that circular economic approaches such as the application of 5Rs (Reuse, Repair, Recovery, Recycle and Redesign), are present in community-based organisations and private business sector. However, many plastic wastes still end to landfills and open damping. Despite the many regulation measures being taken by Kenyan national government, there is no legal framework specifically for plastic waste management in Kenyan urban centres. Plastic management in Kenya has no clear structure both in national and county level. Consumer’s behaviour of littering plastic waste and lack of plastic waste separation is a key challenge in embracing sustainability to plastic waste management in Kenyan urban centres. Although bans of single use plastic waste have led to increased awareness in the impacts of plastic waste, there is less awareness on applying sustainable approaches to plastic waste management.