Plastic Pollution

What is Plastic Pollution?

Plastic pollution is the accumulation of plastic objects and particles in the Earth’s environment, impacting humans, wildlife, and their habitats. Plastics that act as pollutants are categorized by size into micro-, meso-, or macro debris. Unlike other materials, plastic does not biodegrade, meaning it can take up to 1,000 years to break down. This accumulation leads to environmental problems like choking marine wildlife, damaging soil, and poisoning groundwater. 

Plastic Pollution in Kenya

Did you know that Kenya generates approximately 503,000 tonnes of plastic waste annually, yet only about 7% is recycled? So, where does the remaining 93%—over 467,000 tonnes—end up? Plastic pollution is a menace and has emerged as one of the most pressing environmental issues of our time. We feel its adverse effects in the air we breathe, our soil, our oceans, and lakes. Plastics affect Kenya’s environment, health, and economy.

Impacts of Plastic Pollution

Plastic pollution is a major environmental challenge in Kenya, affecting land, water bodies, wildlife, and even human health. Despite the 2017 ban on single use plastic bags, plastic waste remains a persistent problem, particularly in urban areas, water sources, and coastal ecosystems.

Key impacts

1. Water Pollution: Destruction of Rivers and Lakes

Nairobi River
Plastic waste clogs rivers and streams, disrupting the natural flow of water and increasing flooding risks. The Nairobi River, for instance, is heavily polluted with plastic bottles, bags, and other debris. This pollution:

• Damages water quality, making it unsafe for human and animal consumption.
• Encourages mosquito breeding, leading to the spread of diseases like malaria and dengue fever.
• Reduces aquatic biodiversity, suffocating fish and other organisms.

Figure 1 Nairobi River

Lake Victoria

Lake Victoria, the largest freshwater lake in Africa, is heavily polluted by plastic waste from urban centers, fishing activities, and industrial discharge.

Figure 2 Plastic Bottles at Ecobrix site in Masaka

1. Contamination of Drinking Water: Many communities around Kisumu, Homa Bay, and Siaya depend on the lake for drinking water. However, plastic pollution leads to microplastic contamination, making the water unsafe. Studies have found microplastics in fish and drinking water, raising health concerns for local populations.
2. Decline in Fish Populations & Economic Losses: Plastic waste disrupts fish breeding areas, especially in shallow regions where tilapia and Nile perch spawn. Fishermen frequently catch plastic instead of fish, reducing their daily catch and affecting their income. Declining fish populations have led to job losses in the fishing industry, threatening livelihoods for thousands of people.
3. Toxic Chemical Pollution from Plastics: Plastics break down, releasing harmful chemicals like BPA (bisphenol A) and phthalates into the lake. These chemicals affect fish reproduction, leading to long-term ecosystem damage. Communities using contaminated lake water experience health issues like stomach infections and skin diseases.
4. Increased Algae Blooms & Water Hyacinth Growth : Plastic waste traps organic matter and pollutants, increasing nutrient levels in the lake. This accelerates the growth of algae and invasive water hyacinth, blocking sunlight and depleting oxygen in the water. Dead fish and suffocated aquatic life are commonly seen in polluted areas.

Athi River

The Athi River, one of Kenya’s longest rivers, flows through Nairobi, Machakos, and Mombasa before emptying into the Indian Ocean. The river is highly polluted by plastic waste, industrial chemicals, and raw sewage with major sources including urban waste from Nairobi and Machakos, industrial discharge from Athi River town, agricultural runoff from Kajiado, and improper waste disposal from informal settlements along the riverbanks.

Figure 3 Banks of Athi River

1. Blocked Water Flow and Increased Flooding: Plastic waste clogs riverbanks and drainage systems, increasing flooding risks in urban areas like Nairobi and Athi River town. Floodwaters contaminated with plastics and industrial waste spread diseases such as cholera and typhoid.
   1. Poisoning of Aquatic Life: Plastic bags and bottles choke fish, turtles, and other aquatic animals, leading to mass deaths. Industrial zones near the river dump plastics and heavy metals, contaminating fish and making them unsafe for human consumption.
   1. Unsafe Water for Domestic Use: Communities in Machakos and Mombasa rely on the Athi River for water, but high levels of plastic and chemical waste make it undrinkable. A study found that water samples from the Athi River contained high levels of microplastics and heavy metals like lead and mercury.
   1.  Pollution Reaching the Indian Ocean: The Athi River carries plastic waste to the ocean, worsening marine pollution. Beaches near Kilifi and Mombasa are littered with plastic debris from the river, affecting marine ecosystems and tourism.

Indian Ocean

The Indian Ocean, which borders Kenya’s coastline, is increasingly affected by plastic pollution, primarily from polluted rivers like the Athi River, direct waste disposal, and ocean currents carrying debris from other regions. The pollution has severe consequences for marine ecosystems, coastal communities, and global biodiversity.

1. Harm to Marine Life:

Plastic waste in the ocean directly affects marine species, leading to injury, death, and ecosystem imbalances.

1. Ingestion by Marine Animals: Sea turtles, fish, and seabirds mistake floating plastics for food. Consuming plastic causes internal blockages, starvation, and toxic buildup in the body. A study found microplastics in fish caught along the Kenyan coast, posing risks to marine food chains and human consumers.
2. Entanglement & Suffocation: Fishing nets, plastic bags, and bottle rings trap marine animals like dolphins, sea turtles, and crabs. Entangled animals struggle to swim, leading to drowning, infections, or amputations.
3. Coral Reef Damage: Plastics settle on coral reefs, blocking sunlight and preventing coral from getting the nutrients it needs. Chemicals from plastics alter coral microbiomes, making them more susceptible to disease. In Kenya, plastic pollution is a growing threat to coral reefs in Watamu, Malindi, and Kisite-Mpunguti Marine Park.

• Microplastic Contamination of Seafood:

As plastics break down into microplastics, they enter the food chain. Microplastics absorb toxic chemicals like heavy metals and pesticides, making seafood potentially hazardous. Studies have detected microplastics in shellfish, tuna, and sardines—commonly consumed by coastal populations.

• Economic & Tourism Losses
• Coastal Pollution Hurts Tourism: Popular beaches like Diani, Nyali, and Lamu are littered with plastic debris, discouraging tourists. Coastal hotels and resorts spend millions on cleanup efforts, increasing operational costs.

• Impact on Fisheries & Livelihoods: Over 27,000 people in Kenya depend on fishing, but plastic pollution reduces fish population ns and contaminates seafood. Fishermen along the Kenyan coast have reported a decline in fish populations due to plastic pollution, affecting livelihoods. Also, ghost fishing gear (abandoned nets and lines) trap and kill valuable fish stocks, reducing income for fishermen.

• Disruption of Ocean Currents & Climate Change:

Plastic waste alters ocean circulation patterns, affecting weather and climate. Floating plastic debris absorbs heat, contributing to rising sea temperatures. This disrupts marine ecosystems and coral bleaching, affecting biodiversity.

Soil Degradation and Agricultural Impact

Plastic waste, especially single-use plastics, accumulates in farmlands and:

• Prevents proper soil aeration and water absorption, reducing crop yields.
• Leaches harmful chemicals into the soil, contaminating food supplies.
• Harms livestock when ingested, leading to deaths and financial losses for farmers.

Farmers in Kiambu and Nakuru counties have reported cases of cows dying after consuming plastic bags left in grazing areas.

Figure 6 Livestock feeding on Plastic

Aesthetic and Tourism Impacts

Plastic pollution negatively affects Kenya’s image, particularly in tourist hotspots. Littered streets and dumpsites in Nairobi, such as Dandora, create an eyesore, discouraging investors and visitors. Plastic waste along Mombasa beaches makes them unattractive, reducing tourism revenue. Tourists complain about dirty beaches in Diani and Watamu, affecting Kenya’s reputation as a top travel destination.

Figure 7 Dandora

Contribution to Climate Change

The burning of plastic waste in dumpsites like Dandora releases toxic gases such as dioxins and furans, contributing to air pollution and climate change. These emissions increase the risk of respiratory diseases, cancer, and other health complications. The release of greenhouse gases from plastic waste adds to global warming. Communities living near dumpsites experience high cases of asthma, bronchitis, and other lung-related diseases.

Economic Losses

Plastic pollution affects multiple economic sectors:

• Fishing industry: Contaminated waters lead to lower fish catches, affecting communities around Lake Victoria and the Indian Ocean.
• Agriculture: Soil pollution reduces productivity, increasing food insecurity.
• Tourism: Dirty beaches and landscapes discourage visitors, reducing foreign exchange earnings.
• Healthcare costs: The rise in pollution-related diseases increases medical expenses for individuals and the government.

Threat to Wildlife and Biodiversity.

Even with the ban in place, plastics still find their way into parks, putting animals at risk:

• Plastic Ingestion by Animals: Wild animals like zebras, giraffes, and elephants accidentally eat plastic waste when foraging. Park rangers have reported cases of antelopes in Maasai Mara and Tsavo dying from plastic blockages in their digestive systems.
• Litter in Nairobi National Park: Due to its proximity to Nairobi, plastic waste from the city still enters the park through drainage systems and illegal dumping. Some visitors ignore the ban and bring plastic items, which end up littering the park.

Illegal Plastic Waste Dumping

• Despite the ban, illegal dumping of plastic waste near parks continues, affecting wildlife that roams beyond park boundaries. Areas surrounding parks like Amboseli and Tsavo experience plastic pollution from local businesses and settlements. During the rainy season, floodwaters carry plastic waste into the parks, threatening animal habitats.

The Ongoing Fight Against Plastic Pollution in Parks

• The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) enforces the plastic ban in parks, conducting regular cleanups and penalizing offenders. Community and conservation groups help remove plastic waste and educate people on proper disposal and recycling. More efforts are needed to stop plastic pollution at the source, especially in urban areas near parks.

Key strategies in addressing Plastic Pollution

1. Reduce Consumption

The most effective way to tackle plastic pollution is to reduce reliance on single-use plastics such as plastic bags, straws, and disposable cutlery.

How to Achieve This:

• Governments can ban or tax single-use plastics to discourage their use (e.g., Kenya’s 2017 plastic bag ban).
• Businesses can adopt eco-friendly packaging, like reusable glass, cloth bags, or biodegradable materials.
• Consumers can choose reusable alternatives, such as cloth shopping bags, refillable water bottles, and metal straws.

Impact:
Reducing plastic consumption at the source ensures less plastic waste enters the environment, lowering pollution levels in water bodies, streets, and landfills.

• Improve Recycling

Plastic recycling helps reduce waste but is currently underutilized in Kenya and many parts of the world. Only a small fraction of plastic waste is collected and processed for reuse.

How to Improve Recycling:

• Strengthen waste collection and sorting systems to separate recyclable plastics from general waste.
• Encourage plastic buyback programs, where companies pay individuals or organizations for collecting plastic waste.
• Invest in advanced recycling technologies that break down plastics more efficiently for reuse.
• Implement Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policies, requiring manufacturers to manage and recycle the plastic they produce.

Impact:
Better recycling reduces the volume of plastic waste that ends up in landfills, rivers, and oceans. It also creates economic opportunities in plastic recovery and repurposing industries.

• Develop Alternative Materials

Innovating and promoting biodegradable and sustainable alternatives to plastic is essential for long-term solutions.

Examples of Alternatives:

• Biodegradable plastics made from plants, which break down faster than traditional plastics.
• Edible packaging made from seaweed or rice, which dissolves after use.
• Compostable materials for food packaging, reducing the need for plastic wrappers.

Impact:
Switching to sustainable alternatives reduces plastic pollution at the source, especially for packaging, food service, and consumer goods.

• Policy Interventions

Stronger laws and regulations are needed to reduce plastic production, encourage recycling, and promote sustainable practices.

Key Policies That Can Help:

• Plastic bans on single-use items (e.g., Kenya’s plastic bag ban in 2017, followed by a ban on plastics in parks in 2020).
• Incentives for businesses to adopt biodegradable packaging and recycling programs.
• Stricter enforcement against illegal dumping and plastic pollution in rivers, streets, and beaches.
• Deposit refund schemes, where consumers pay extra for plastic bottles and get refunded when they return them for recycling.

Impact:
Stronger policies create a legal framework for sustainability, encouraging responsible plastic use and waste management at national and community levels.

• International Cooperation

Plastic pollution is a global issue, with plastics traveling across borders via rivers and ocean currents. Tackling this challenge requires collaboration between countries.

Ways Countries Can Work Together:

• Global agreements like the UN Plastic Treaty to set regulations on plastic production and waste management.
• Cross-border cleanup efforts, such as partnerships to remove plastic from shared water bodies like Lake Victoria.
• Technology sharing, where developed nations support developing countries with recycling innovations and waste management solutions.
• Trade regulations to reduce the export of plastic waste to countries that lack recycling infrastructure.

Impact:
International cooperation ensures a unified response to plastic pollution, leading to more effective policies, innovations, and large-scale clean-up efforts.

• Awareness and Education

Public awareness is key to changing behavior and reducing plastic pollution. When people understand the impact of plastic waste, they are more likely to adopt sustainable habits.

Ways to Raise Awareness:

• School programs teaching children about plastic pollution and how to reduce waste.
• Community clean-ups, engaging local people in waste collection and environmental conservation.
• Media campaigns, using TV, radio, and social media to educate the public about plastic waste reduction.
• Encouraging businesses to label products with clear information on recyclability and proper disposal.

Impact:
Raising awareness empowers people to make eco-friendly choices, reducing plastic use and promoting proper waste management in communities.