All vehicles to have dustbins in a bid to curb plastic waste menace, says NTSA

Environmentalists collecting plastic bags. NTSA has said it is in negotiations with Nema for the drafting of legislation that will compel all motorists to have dustbins in their vehicles. This is aimed at reducing plastic waste menace on the environment. FILE PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • This is aimed at reducing the blocking of drainage systems with plastic bottles and bags.
  • NTSA is negotiating with Nema to draft a legislation that will make it mandatory for both private and public service vehicles to have dirt bins.
  • Mr Munyao also urged event organisers to plan for urban waste management prior to the event dates so as to minimise irresponsible waste disposal.

All motorists will soon be required to have dustbins in their vehicles as a measure aimed at reducing the blocking of drainage systems with plastic bottles and bags.

The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) is in negotiation with the National Environment Management Authority (Nema) to draft a legislation that will make it mandatory for both private and public service vehicles to have dirt bins.

NTSA Director of Road Safety, Matthew Munyao said it is estimated that travellers dispose of more than half a million bottles through vehicle windows on a daily basis.

“This phenomenon may seem like a small issue to worry about, but it is a serious problem to the drainage systems of the country which in turn places the citizens at the risk of not only diseases but also drowning during floods,” he said.

Mr Munyao also urged event organisers to plan for urban waste management prior to the event dates so as to minimise irresponsible waste disposal.

Recently, the County government of Nairobi has been experiencing constant floods that caused deaths, destruction and paralysed the transport system.