But together with a commitment at the Executive level and a public awareness campaign, he says, Rwanda was able to turn things around.
“Our customs officials will not let plastic bags into the country and our people will not carry plastic bags,” he says.
A mindset change and sense of ownership cultivated from the point of view that knowledge is power to change, Murenzi explains: “We have something akin to Nyumba Kumi and we used that forum to educate our people on why we had to return to our tradition of carrying the kyondo (basket) with us to the market. We also rallied the media to carry public service messages. We explained to the people how the non-biodegradable nature of the plastic bags affects them directly; we’ve had cows die from choking on plastic bags, water can’t permeate the soil because of plastic bags yet the majority of our people are subsistence farmers, mosquitoes breed in water trapped in carelessly thrown plastic bags, they block the drainage systems. Plastic bags cost much more than the few shillings it cost to buy them,” he reasons.
Wakhungu agrees that raising public awareness would be instrumental if the title of national flower were to be redeemed from the plastic bag.
“I once saw my driver finish bottled water, roll down the window and toss it out. It happens every day, everywhere, in Kenya. Would he have done the same thing if it were his house or would he throw it in the bin? This is why I welcome community clean up exercises because when you know you’re the same person who will have to clean it up later you’re more conscious to find a bin. The other thing we’re also looking at is introducing environmental education in schools so it can become a way of life with them,” she says, “but we have to leave them an environment to conserve.”
And as honey attracts bees, Steiner feels the Executive could help foster an environmentally conscious private sector through tax incentives.
“If you offer tax incentives you won’t need foot soldiers to chase anyone down, they’ll chase the government down to get that certificate of environment consciousness that they’ll need for a tax break,” he says.
Even the Dandora dumpsite – which could be described as an effigy of the plastic bag – the self confessed green economist says, could be looked at as just a smelly, infested, eye sore or a business opportunity.
“I know of an entrepreneur who uses disposed of plastic bags to make fence poles, it’s all in the perspective. Already there are people who eke out a living from the garbage but it needs to be encouraged from a point of safety; not children digging through sharp, infected material with their bare hands. I’m talking about serious investment. Let’s get serious about it,” he urges.
About The Author
