Plastic Ban In Kenya Score Sheet

Plastic Ban In Kenya Score Sheet. Time to check how far we are since the ban. Do we have anything to celebrate about? What are the winnings?

On 28th August in 2017, Kenya took the bold step of banning plastic bags. They also introduced heavy fines and jail term for those who may think of defining the law.

The law was not welcomed with an opened arm but with force that paid off. Most people don’t like changes. Especially ones that would make them digger into their pockets. They tried demonstrations,went to the courts, silently rebelling the law.. But they are eventually emnvracing it. SOme of who are praising it. Change is not bad most of the time.

Let’s see what we have achieved so far

Kenyans embracing reusable shopping bags

Gone are the days when you didn’t care of having a shopping bag with you. Since plastic bags were easily accessible and cheap. And even offered for free at the supermarket.

Nowadays , everyone do their best to always have a reusable bag with them. Since if you have none and need to get something. Then that means you will have a buy a new one. Adding to your budget.

The males too had to embrace the act of having a reusable bags with them.

It’s a good move and practice for our society.

No more flying toilets in plastic

Some slums in Kenya especially in Nairobi were notoriously known for flying toilets. These flying toilets used the plastic bags to transfer these waste. And they rrely cared where it ended up or its healthy effect on the other people.

Human waste can be a very dangerous thing to be exposed to. It’s a waste concentration full of diseases, bacteria and other harmful stuff. So when you get exposed to someone else waste, there’s high possibility of be affected. No wonder there was high rate of diarrhea in such slums.

Air pollution to another problem. The flying toilet will land somewhere where it will burst from being stepped on. The smell that comes from that spill get rid of all the fresh air. Hence creating uncondusive environment.

Waterways are now experiencing less blockage due to absence of plastic

Read the full article here.

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It Got Me Thinking

It got me thinking once I watched his video.

The video was trying to understand the no straw decision made by McDonald. McDonald’s banned use of straws in their restaurants some time this year. In solidarity with conservationists towards fight against the one use plastics.

Reports have been going round on the negative effects of the plastic straws that end up in our oceans. A huge number of marine animals especially turtles have suffered this fate and died in big numbers painfully.

As a result, campaigns have been launched and spread all over the world. The campaigns have been advising on the negative impact of the one use plastics to our nature and wildlife. Alternatives have been given and things have improved lately.

More countries are banning use of one use plastic items such as plastic bags. And citizens have responded positively . By replacing the plastic bags with the reuseable environmentfriendly bags.

It has been a huge step of success for conservation. Hoping the remaining countries will join the rest and say goodbye to the one use plastic completely.

So my video guy experienced the no straw policy when he visited one of the McDonald’s restaurant. He was not given any straw for his drink. Lack of straw was not what bothered him the most. But presence of other plastic utensils being used at the restaurant.

The disposable cups, spoons,folks, among others. He was wondering what difference it really made by banning plastic straws yet allow the other plastics. Which definitely have same consequences as the straws.

He has a point

It was and still one of the best decision made of banning plastic straws. But its half way and not fully exploited by the McDonald as well as other restaurants. Especially the ones that offer fast foods on the go.

The number of plastic utensils used and given to a client once they purchase their food is a lot. And being disposable , are only used once. Hence make their way into the oceans sooner than we can imagine.

The straws in the oceans may reduce in number but it will be replaced by the plastic spoons/forks/plates, among others. Different objects, same materials, same destruction.

The same way they banned use of plastic straws, they should do their best to come up with recyclables utensils. Utensils that can decompose, refused or easily recycled.

What point am I trying to make here?

Get the full article here.

Happy World Earth Day

Earth’s day theme for this year is to “End Plastic Pollution.” It’s a day dedicate to show support towards environmental protection and start in 1970.

Earth day can been part of daily lives if we applied several practices friendly to the nature. Going green will help us protect planet earth and save money. There are several tips to be applied and can be easily accessed at Earth Day. If you are able to apply at least 20 of the given tips then you will be able to enjoy clean atmosphere and a happy planet.

End Plastic Pollution is a campaign geared towards  promotion of  knowledge and awareness of the effects from plastic pollution. It includes four major components:

• Creating support for the adoption of plastic pollution global framework regulation.
• Promoting education and awareness of plastic pollution as well as mobilizing citizens to push their governments on the same.
• Offering knowledge on how to control and prevent plastic pollution.
• Promoting the local governments in making policies and laws that will deal with plastic pollution.

Lets understand the effects of Plastic Pollution

Get the full article here.