Plastic Waste Recycling Project in Lamu
Climate and environmental crisis are a priority in the strategy 2030 of the Red Cross and Red Crescent movement. It incorporates climate risk management – including adaptation and mitigation, operations, and advocacy instruments, and applying better environmental management approaches to addressing harmful and vulnerable conditions. It is estimated that 92% of plastic waste is mismanaged in Kenya. This is mainly because there are no collection services in rural areas (Paruta et al. 2020). This leads to leakage into terrestrial and marine ecosystems (Paruta et al. 2020). An estimated 37,000 tons of plastic leak into the ocean every year and 67% of that leakage comes from urban centers (Paruta et al. 2020). Most plastic waste ends up in rivers, oceans, beaches, and farmlands, impacting the marine life, tourism, fishery, and agriculture that contributes more than 70% of the economy of a coastal town like Lamu and its surroundings. I.O.Me005 in partnership with the IFRC, is implementing a project that focuses on raising awareness and building capacity to more of the youth in Lamu, enabling them to identify opportunities within the plastic waste management value chain to improve efforts towards waste management within the county. The CBF project aims to enhance the effectiveness and sustainability in plastic collection and recycling initiatives, contributing to a greener economy. This initiative recognizes the crucial role of environmental activists, plastic recyclers and the general public in fostering positive change. Through the IOMe005 innovation lab in Lamu, KRCS will conduct this pilot project designed to promote conversations on plastic waste management through capacity building of the youths and volunteers in Lamu, working with them to recycle and identify value addition opportunities for plastic waste management. A series of events and activities were designed to engage key stakeholders, gather insights, share knowledge, and collaboratively develop strategies for the project’s successful implementation. Community cleanups will be done to promote community responsibility and behavioral change enlightening the community with relevant information about plastic waste pollution. This will also include online social media sensitization campaigns as well as door-to-door awareness sessions on proper disposal techniques and the harmful negative effects plastic pollution has on the natural ecosystem.
