- The significance of this campaign and the transformative impact they have on our communities, environment, and collective responsibility toward waste management is visible.
- To minimize waste, people should embrace the circular economic approaches where one waste becomes a by-product of another industry as a raw material.
- Small actions towards environmental conservation can make a big difference.
Seeing the potential for change and the opportunity to educate and inspire others, I was motivated to dedicate my time and efforts to this cause
Everlyn Kimibei.
In today’s fast-paced world, the issue of bad waste management has reached alarming proportions.
From overflowing landfills to plastic pollution in our oceans, the impact of improper waste disposal has become a global concern.
However, as environmental consciousness continues to grow, individuals and organizations are taking proactive steps to address this pressing issue.
One such initiative is the Waste Management Campaign—a comprehensive and sustainable approach aimed at promoting responsible waste disposal practices and fostering a cleaner, greener future for all.
The significance of this campaign and the transformative impact they have on our communities, environment, and collective responsibility toward waste management is visible.
The strategy
Everlyn Kimibei, Senior Studio Technologist at Kisii University in the Department of Communication, Media and Information Science in the School of Information Science and Technology, is the leader in a team sensitizing the society on waste management within Kisii municipality.
Through their research and campaign, Ms. Kimibei’s team also wants to find out where the problem is and failure to address the waste management menace.
They are visiting schools and several other entities and organizations for face-to-face meet-ups with young people and those in authority and using social media platforms to reach out to the targeted audience.
Force behind
“My motivation to get involved in waste management and start this campaign stems from my deep concern for the environment and the urgent need to address the growing waste crisis,” asserts Ms. Kimibei.
She recounts that she witnessed firsthand detrimental impact of irresponsible waste disposal on the environment and health, and the alarming rate at which the planet’s resources are being depleted due to excessive consumption and inefficient waste management practices.
“Seeing the potential for change and the opportunity to educate and inspire others, I was motivated to dedicate my time and efforts to this cause,” says Ms. Kimibei.
This realization inspired her swing to action and create a campaign to raise awareness about waste management, promote sustainable practices, and encourage individuals and businesses to adopt responsible waste disposal methods.
We have a duty
“The Kenyan Constitution gives citizens the right to a clean environment. It doesn’t end there, but places in the citizens’ hands the responsibility to keep clean and protect the environment.
We have a duty as Kenyans to participate in reducing waste,” says Simon Tonui, Director of National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), Kisii County.
To minimize waste, people should embrace the circular economic approaches where one waste becomes another industry’s raw material.
“To achieve the 3Rs of waste management (Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle), the public’s encouraged to start segregating waste so that there is different litter bins for different waste products,” added Mr. Tonui.
“I firmly believe that by addressing waste management issues, we can make a significant positive impact on the environment and create a more sustainable future for generations to come,” Ms. Kimibei says.
Objectives
The main objectives and goals of the waste management campaign are:
- To promote waste reduction.
They strive to encourage individuals and businesses to reduce their waste generation by adopting sustainable habits such as recycling, composting, and reusing materials.
Their campaign emphasizes the concept of “reduce, reuse and recycle” to minimize the amount of waste ending up in landfills or polluting the environment.
- To raise awareness.
“One of our primary goals is to raise awareness about the importance of proper waste management practices,” says the team leader.
The team aims to educate individuals and communities about irresponsible waste disposal’s environmental, social, and economic impacts.
- To encourage proper disposal.
We aim to promote proper waste disposal methods, ensuring that waste is sorted correctly and disposed of in appropriate containers or recycling facilities.
Educating people about the importance of segregation can minimize contamination and maximize the effectiveness of recycling and waste management systems.
- To foster collaboration.
They seek to foster collaboration among various stakeholders, including local authorities like county governments, local businesses, non-profit organizations, and community members.
The plan
By working together, they aim to develop comprehensive waste management solutions, share best practices, and create a support network for sustainable waste management initiatives.
“Our campaign seeks to shift attitudes and behaviors toward waste management, promoting a more sustainable and responsible approach that benefits the environment, communities, and future generations,” Ms. Kimibei explains.
The team collaborates with local authorities and organizations, which is crucial for implementing effective waste management practices.
They have initiated communication with local authorities such as NEMA and relevant public health departments to express and strengthen the campaign’s goals and intentions.
They establish regular communication channels to keep them informed about our campaign activities and seek their guidance and support.
“We collaborate closely with (NEMA) and public health departments to ensure that our campaign aligns with existing regulations and guidelines. We seek their guidance to ensure that our initiatives are compliant with local waste management policies and standards,” Ms. Kimibei explains.
Why schools?
At primary school, the learners are at an ideal time to be introduced to the concept of waste management and help them develop lifelong habits.
As part of their campaign, the team is visiting different schools in and outside Kisii town to sensitize pupils, students, and teachers on sustainable solutions geared toward a clean environment concerning responsible waste disposal.
They recently visited Kisii Primary and Bobaracho Dok Primary schools.
By instilling responsible waste management practices early on, their attitudes and behaviors toward waste for years to come are well shaped.
Children are naturally curious and receptive to learning.
According to Ms. Kimibei, introducing waste management concepts in primary schools helps raise their awareness about environmental issues, fostering a sense of responsibility towards the planet.
They can become environmental ambassadors, influencing their families and communities to adopt sustainable practices.
According to Paul Isendi, one of the team members, “In the future, we intend to work with organizations and bodies with a crucial role in the society and have failed to deliver the communication to ensure that everyone is aware of what they are supposed to do.”
People can protect the environment by being mindful of their consumption habits and striving to reduce waste generation.
Taking action
“We believe that each individual has the power to positively impact waste management and create a sustainable future.
Together, we can address the waste crisis and protect our environment for future generations,” Ms. Kimibei believes.
Right choices: Opt for reusable products, say no to single-use items, and find creative ways to repurpose or donate items instead of throwing them away.
Educating yourself: About local recycling guidelines and ensuring that you properly sort and recycle materials is also essential.
Recycling: Normalize supporting recycling initiatives in your community and encourage others to participate.
Correct disposal: Properly segregate waste to minimize contamination and maximize the efficiency of waste management systems.
Going eco-friendly: Encourage local businesses to adopt eco-friendly initiatives and reduce their environmental footprint.
Remember, even small actions can make a big difference.
We can create a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable world by collectively working towards responsible waste management.
“Join us in our mission to protect our planet. Together, let’s make waste management a priority and create a brighter future for all,” Ms. Kimibei urged all ears.
RELATED STORY: Role of emerging technologies in sustainable waste management agenda
Remember, every effort counts. We can pave the way for a greener, more sustainable tomorrow by taking action today.
