| Waste category | 1985 | 1998 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plastics | 4.07% | 11.80% | 13.80% |
| Papers | 10.16% | 7.30% | 11.30% |
| Putrescible | 77.97% | 51.50% | 58.80% |
| Metals, Glass, Wood | 2.07% | 11.80% | 7.80% |
| Inorganics | 5.73% | 7.60% | 8.30% |
The percentage volume of plastics in urban solid waste has grown steadily between 1999 and 2019, with a marked increase in both plastics and organic (putrescible) waste in neighborhoods of high population density (see table below).
| Waste category | High population density zone (Dandora & Kibera) | Medium population density zone (Kariobangi south & Buruburu | Low population density zone (Loresho) | City center |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plastics | 14.4% | 12.9% | 15.8% | 13.5% |
| Papers | 6.4% | 9.3% | 12.3% | 22.6% |
| Putrescibles | 64.2% | 63.8% | 56.5% | 52.8% |
| LT | 12.4% | 5.7% | 4.2% | 7.8% |
| In-organics | 7.9% | 8.3% | 11.4% | 3.3% |
No comprehensive study has been carried out to determine the composition of plastics in our solid wastes. From our experience in sustainable waste management, we can point to an emerging waste stream that has grown right under our noses.
According to the 2019 census, out of Kenya’s 43,738,608 residents, 22,164,531 were women 44% of whom were aged between 14 – 49 years and probably experiencing their menses. An ordinary sanitary pad weighs 80 grams when dry about half of which is plastic and non-biodegradable.
Despite the ban on plastic bags, there has been a marked rise in disposable single-use plastics from plastic bottles, styrofoam packaging, and light electronics (mobile phone covers, headphones, etc) that compounds the problem further. The situation is made worse by Kenya’s poor recycling habits – up to 70% of recyclable plastics end up in a landfill, dumpsite open pit.
Discarded sanitary pads as an emerging waste stream came to our attention when Varet noticed the rise in demand for Low-Cost incinerators in girls’ secondary schools following amendments to the Basic Education Act (2013) in 2017 where the Government of Kenya would provide free sanitary pads to 3.7 million school girls.
Varet’s Low-cost incinerators are two stage combustion chambers that enhance pyrolisis (the decomposition of materials at elevated temperatures in an inert atmosphere) – the incinerator reduces all waste by 85% of its volume producing inert ash safe for landfilling.
As the face of waste continues to change with changes in lifestyle and increasing urbanization, entrepreneurs like Varet are tasked with innovating and bringing to market sustainable solutions to growing waste volumes.
