President William Ruto has today called for drastic measures to curb the production and circulation of plastics, highlighting the threats posed by plastics both to the environment and humanity.
The president spoke during the official opening of the Third Session of the Inter-Governmental Negotiating Committee on Ending Plastic Pollution held at UN Complex, Gigiri, Nairobi.
“Dealing with plastics pollution is central to making progress on climate change.” He said.
He urged countries across the world to explore alternatives to use of plastic bags as part of efforts to tackle pollution.
He asked producers and innovators to rethink plastic products and packaging to reflect the principles of reuse, refill and repair.
President Ruto argued that there was need to explore alternative options such as non-plastic substitutes, alternative plastics and plastic products that do not have negative environmental, health and social impacts.
“I invite innovators to come and invest in Africa because the continent has natural resources that can be used for planet-friendly alternatives.” He added.
This, president Ruto said, was an opportunity for African plastic-alternative industries to become market leaders and drive economic growth and transformation on the continent.
The Head of State, at the same time, said the world should follow Kenya’s example by banning plastic paper bags in order to tackle pollution.
“Plastics could account for up to 19 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions allowed under 1.5°C by 2040. We call upon producers and innovators to rethink plastic products and packaging to reflect the principles of reuse, refill, repair, and repurpose by exploring alternative options such as non-plastic substitutes, alternative plastics, and plastic products that do not have negative environmental, health, and social impacts.” Ruto observed.
He made the rallying call warning that if nothing is done, more than a billion tonnes of toxic plastic will be produced by 2060.
“This kind of polluting of our environment is unacceptable and is essentially an existential threat to life, human and otherwise, on earth. To deal with plastic pollution, humanity must change. We must change the way we consume, the way we produce, and how we dispose of our waste. This is the reality of our world.” He added.
He said Kenya demonstrated her commitment to fighting plastics with the ban on the manufacture and use of polythene bags in 2017, followed closely in 2020 with a ban on single-use plastics in protected areas such as national parks, forests, and beaches.
Further in July 2022, Kenya enacted the Sustainable Waste Management Act which according to the President made Kenya the first in the world to subject all products, including plastics, to Extended Producer Responsibility.
“We know this is not enough and we are ready to play our part in the elimination of plastic pollution.” He added.
Representatives from more than 170 nations are meeting in Nairobi beginning today to negotiate concrete measures to be included in a binding worldwide treaty to end plastic pollution.
