Assessment of Extent to Which Plastic Bag Waste Management Methods Used in Nairobi City Promote Sustainability

This study investigated sustainability of the methods used to manage plastic bag waste in Nairobi city, Kenya. Plastic bag waste appears in very high proportion in the municipal solid waste stream in Nairobi and is causing environmental problems such as choking of animals and soils; blockage of waterways; health problems, and resource depletion. Having knowledge of the methods used to curb this problem is one way of seeking lasting solutions aimed at sustainable development. The study adopted a mixed methods approach in which both quantitative data through a survey and qualitative data through focus group interviews and observations were collected. Results revealed that the problem of plastic bag waste is a consequence of ineffective by-laws on littering and illegal dumping; inadequate garbage collection by City Council of Nairobi (CCN), and throw-away culture by the public. It is recommended that CCN and reinforcing authorities such as National environmental Management Authority effectively enforce Solid Waste Management policies and guidelines and establish an elaborate recycling system for sustainable plastic bag waste management. The findings will shed more light on dynamic relationship of the variables and concepts involved in plastic bag waste production and management and promote proper planning and decision- making at CCN.