Plastic bags should be managed, not banned

A shopper buys a plastic bag from a vendor. FILE PHOTO | NMG 

By RENJIT MON

More by this Author

Summary

• Kenya should embrace technology to make the most of plastic waste.
• We need to remember that plastic bags are made for a purpose and that the main complaint is not about the bags, but the way they are disposed of.

Worldwide, there is an outcry from environmentalists to have the use of plastic bags banned.

The campaign gained momentum after thousands of tons of plastic waste were dumped into the sea, lakes, rivers and landfills, endangering the environment, human and animal lives.

This disastrous situation has been created by local authorities and governments who did not do plastic waste collection and management sensibly. The easiest solution now for governments is to impose a total ban on plastic bags.

Kenya is joining the race to ban plastic bags beginning August 28 this year, as per the gazette notification dated February 28, 2017 by Environment and Natural Resources secretary Judi Wakhungu.

Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) statistics show that the ban would greatly affect 176 plastic bag companies in Kenya which directly employs 2.89 per cent of the country’s labourforce, and 60,000 people indirectly.

In Kenya unemployment rate is increasing and the plastic bag ban will make it worse. According to the Statutory Instruments Act No.23 of 2013, any regulation making authority should undertake appropriate consultation and impact assessment before issuing a directive, especially if it is likely to have direct or substantial effect on business.

The regulatory impact statement shall include in clear and precise language the reasons why the other means are not appropriate.

This was not followed by the Cabinet Secretary. The National Environment Management Authority (Nema) directive on primary packaging bag production at source is not affordable for small and medium industries.

For wet garbage and hospital waste there is no substitute for plastic bags.

Plastic bag manufacturers will lose billions of shillings worth of their investment in machinery and infrastructure.

Most of the companies are financed by banks, which will also be affected. Governments on the warpath against plastic bags do not bother to assess the impact of their decision on industries, economy and employment in the country.

We need to remember that plastic bags are made for a purpose and that the main complaint is not about the bags, but the way they are disposed of. There is no real, cost-effective and versatile substitute for plastic bags in packaging.

Plastic bags are widely seen as an environmental nuisance due to their non-biodegradable nature. Adding biodegradable additives to raw materials is considered a solution to this.

Those who want paper bags to replace plastic bags need to know that according to the US Environmental Protection Agency, production of paper bags generates 70 per cent more air pollutants and 50 times more water pollutants than plastic bags.

Production of paper bags to substitute plastic bags will result in deforestation from cutting down trees for paper pulp. The raw material for plastic bags is a petroleum byproduct.

But banning plastic bags therefore disregards their practical functionality and affordability.

But regulating the use of plastic bags is necessary. The Kenya Revenue Authority imposed an excise duty of Sh120 per kilogramme on all shopping bags, which is effective presently.

The millions of shillings collected from plastic bag companies every month could be put in a consolidated fund for plastic waste management in the country.

County authorities could make it mandatory that plastic waste be segregated at household level, with collection in a separate bag from food waste and other garbage. After final sorting they can be sold for various uses.

Diesel from plastic waste

The technology for converting plastic waste into diesel, developed by researchers at Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP), has catapulted India into the league of countries with this green innovation — including Germany, Japan, the US, the UK and Chinat.

The diesel produced from plastic waste is of high quality due to almost zero-sulphur content and will cost cheaper than the normal diesel. The process is called pyrolysis.

The plant is available in various capacities. Henceforth plastic waste will be viewed more as a resource than a menace.

Plastic waste for durable roads

Another landmark innovation is using plastic waste for the construction of roads. Thyagarajar College of Engineering, Madurai, in South India developed this technology for which it received a patent in 2002.

All types of waste plastic material (except PVC) are used for making roads. Plastic acts as a strong binder for aggregate and bitumen.

Plastic waste can also be used to make fencing poles, much stronger and durable than concrete ones. Being a good insulator it is especially ideal for electric fencing.