In Kenya, the challenge of Solid Waste Management in the forty seven counties is real. Collection systems are inefficient and disposal systems are not environmentally friendly. Studies show that improper disposal of waste results in adverse human and environmental health problems. Most of the solid waste is generated from human and animal activities and industrial production processes. The solid waste can be classified as either municipal, hospital, industrial, or agricultural. These classes of solid waste are unique based on their composition and the pollutants that they contain. Therefore, different types of waste require different disposal approaches.
Proper awareness of citizens toward economic value of wastes contributes immensely to proper handling of the waste. It also creates a greener environment, employment opportunities and generates revenue to the government. Therefore, the first step in proper and effective disposal of solid waste is inventorying the types of waste and their available quantities. It is important to also document waste generators and how the waste is disposed. As such, effective solid waste management techniques can be developed based on facts.
County governments should aim at making an inventory of waste within the wards, in order to develop an intergraded solid waste management (ISWM) tool for the county. ISWM takes an overall approach to creating sustainable systems that are economically affordable, socially acceptable and environmentally effective. It uses different treatment methods that turn the collected waste into products. In order for the counties to effectively manage the solid waste, they should incorporate waste management in their institutional planning. This can be achieved by ensuring that collection and disposal are carried out on a planned basis and allocating adequate human and financial resources.
The county governments have a duty to educate their citizens that they have legal responsibility to ensure that they produce, store, transport and dispose controlled waste without harming the environment. Citizens should be aware that according to Waste Act, waste holders, such as private individuals, property owners or companies, are primarily responsible for the management of waste. Therefore, waste management is a collective responsibility.
In order to achieve a clean environment, there must be guidelines of finding out how waste is disposed. This can be followed by evaluating and accessing the likelihood that, the waste can be recycled. Incinerators for hazardous waste in the County should be constructed in a well surveyed area.
Joseck Olukusi Alwala, Head of Chemistry Laboratories, Kibabii University, and Organizing Secretary, Kenya Chemical Society, Western Chapter.
