When Leo Baekeland pioneered the first fully synthetic plastic in 1907, I don’t think he knew the catastrophic implications his groundbreaking invention would have on our environment over a century later.
Today, we are faced with a disheartening reality. More than 400 million tons of plastic are produced annually across the globe, and half of it is designed for single-use purposes. Shockingly, less than 10 percent of this massive plastic production is recycled. It’s a distressing situation that leaves us desperately trying to escape from a massive pit of plastic waste.
Plastic pollution has propelled our world into a state of crisis. Each year, an estimated 19-23 million tons of plastic find their way into our lakes, rivers, and oceans. To put it into perspective, that’s equivalent to the weight of 2,200 Eiffel Towers. As these plastics degrade, they transform into microplastics, seeping into our food, water, and even the air we breathe. Astonishingly, it is estimated that every person on this planet consumes over 50,000 plastic particles annually, and that number skyrockets when you consider the particles inhaled.
The urgency to develop and implement solutions has never been greater, as our very health hangs in the balance.
To mark the 50th anniversary of World Environment Day, commemorated every 5th of June, Safaricom Newsroom engaged with experts, environmental change champions, and plastic solutionists to delve into the concept of a circular economy for plastics and how this year’s theme of #beatplasticpollution can be transformed into tangible action.
Jennifer Wang, Chief Sales Officer at Taka Taka Solutions, joined us on our podcast and shed light on the solutions her company offers to tackle this problem head-on.
“When you examine post-consumer waste in Kenya, a significant portion ends up in landfills, dumpsites, or our natural surroundings. Take, for instance, flexible plastics or single-use containers. Currently, these items lack a viable market. However, our company, Taka Taka Solutions, has made a considerable investment in equipment capable of recycling flexible plastics. This move has indirectly created numerous job opportunities for waste pickers, providing them with a reliable market for their collected materials.”
In Kenya alone, plastic accounts for approximately 10-12 percent of solid waste, totaling a staggering 966,000 tons per year. The majority of this plastic waste finds its way onto our streets, into our rivers, and into overflowing landfills. The escalating urbanization across Kenya and East Africa has further exacerbated the waste management crisis, with existing infrastructure not sufficient to handle the ever-increasing quantities of waste.
For any society to function effectively, comprehensive policies must be put in place to mitigate the occurrence of waste. Dr. Catherine Mbaisi from the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) enlightened us about the latest government policies enacted to combat plastic pollution.
“The government has consistently enacted various policies, addressing emerging needs as they arise. Recently, the Sustainable Waste Management Act was introduced. This legislation requires waste to be segregated at its source, ensuring companies sort their waste, distinguishing between plastics, organic waste, and other recyclable materials. This aligns with the principles of a circular economy, allowing these waste streams to be effectively processed and recycled.”
Valentine Cheruiyot, Safaricom’s Climate and Environmental Management Manager shared the measures the company has implemented to foster sustainable practices. These measures include the elimination of problematic plastics from their cafeterias and the reduction in the size of their SIM cards.
Clearly, the conversation surrounding plastic pollution is of paramount importance, requiring the involvement of individuals, corporations, and government bodies alike. Each of us has a role to play in the battle.
Watch the podcast below for incisive details and analysis.
