Environment, Forestry and Climate Change Cabinet Secretary (CS) Dr Deborah Barasa yesterday led the country in celebrating this year’s World Environmental Day with a clarion call to Kenyans to reduce plastic leakage into the environment.

She urged citizens to lead by example and to work together to protect the country and the planet at large.

Speaking at Tharaka University in Tharaka Nithi County, where the celebrations were held, Dr Barasa said that plastic pollution remains one of the most urgent global environmental threats with significant impacts on ecosystems, human health, and economic sustainability.

“As the world celebrates world environment Day 2025 under the theme ‘Ending plastic pollution’, Kenya reaffirms its commitment to environmental stewardship,” said the CS.

She noted that globally, more than 430 million tonnes of plastics are produced annually, where two thirds become waste, polluting oceans, degrading land, and threatening biodiversity.

Only nine per cent of plastics ever produced have been recycled.

However, she noted, Kenya has emerged as a leader in plastic pollution control, beginning with its 2017 ban on plastic carrier bags, which achieved more than 80 per cent compliance and significantly reduced litter.

“The national marine litter management action plan (2021-2030) furthers this progress by targeting plastic waste in coastal and freshwater ecosystems through source reduction, clean-ups, awareness and research, complementing policies like the sustainable waste management act.”

“Today, we join the global community to celebrate this day by renewing our shared commitment to face one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time – plastic pollution,” said the CS.

She added: “Innovative solutions are transforming perceptions of waste, not as a problem, but as a resource. Across Kenya, we are witnessing promising strides in converting plastic waste into valuable products such as eco-friendly building materials, fencing poles, paving blocks, roofing tiles and even furniture.”

She said the innovations are not just reducing pollution but also creating green jobs, especially for youth and women, as well as driving local economic development.

She further said Kenya’s circular economy movement is growing, powered by grassroots innovation, community-based organisations and private sector champions.

Informal waste pickers, often overlooked, she added, are now being recognised and integrated into formal systems through public-private partnerships and county-level waste initiatives.

She called on county governments, businesses, civil societies, and communities to take the lead in waste segregation, sustainable packaging and local recycling solutions.

“I especially want to emphasise the role of local communities in ending plastic pollution from grassroots led by county governments. My Ministry is committed to transitioning the country from a linear to a circular economy.”

“From bold policy, regional leadership and international negotiations to grassroots action and innovation, we are moving as one nation, with one purpose, to protect our environment and our future,” she said.

She added that every Kenyan has a role to play, from business owners reducing plastic packaging to schools teaching sustainability and farmers finding alternatives to agro-plastics in farming.

“Your everyday actions matter: participate in clean-up drives, support recycling centres and say no to single-use plastics,” said Dr Barasa.

She said this year’s theme, “Ending Plastic Pollution”, is a shared call to action, and Governments, policymakers, Small and Medium Enterprises, the plastics industry, financial institutions and communities must all work together to drive change in production, consumption, and waste management.

“Ending plastic pollution is not just a government agenda. It is a call to every Kenyan. To industry: innovate sustainable alternatives. To our youth: lead through action. To all citizens: reduce, reuse and recycle,” she said.

Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki said, “Plastic pollution is not a distant problem – it’s here with us, in our water, our soil and the food we consume. If we are to protect our children’s future, we must act decisively today.”

He said the county is leading by example to respond to environmental issues through progressive policy frameworks such as the county climate change adaptation plan (2023-2028) and the Tharaka Nithi Climate Change Fund Act 2019.

The legal frameworks, he added, enable the county to fund and support localised climate initiatives, including solid waste management programmes, conservation efforts and clean-up campaigns targeting plastic waste.

“Let us remember that climate change and plastic pollution are not future threats – they are present dangers. But with unity, innovation and community engagement, we can turn the tide. Together, we can end plastic pollution. Together we can protect our planet,” said Governor Njuki.

The County Woman Representative Susan Mwindu noted that protection of the environment is no longer a choice but a necessity.

As climate change continues to threaten ecosystems, health, and livelihoods, she added, collective action at all levels is key to securing a sustainable future for generations to come.

National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) Director General Mamo Boru Mamo said Kenya generates about 22,000 tonnes of solid waste daily, totalling eight million tonnes annually, with only seven per cent of this waste being recycled.

The majority of waste, he said, is either mismanaged or left to pollute the environment, harming ecosystems and waterways.

He said this highlights the urgent need for innovation and investment in waste management solutions that benefit the environment, economy and communities.

He said NEMA has implemented strategic programmes with the National Solid Waste Management Strategy, including licensing for plastic-related activities, inspections and enforcing environmental laws.

“A robust licensing framework has been established to ensure all waste management players adhere to safety standards. NEMA is also promoting innovative solutions such as converting plastic waste into building materials, which offer both environmental and economic benefits,” he said.

He said one of the frameworks includes enacting Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), where they make sure producers take responsibility for managing the waste that arises from the products they introduce into the country.

“Despite all these frameworks, our country is still facing the menace of plastic pollution due to attitudes towards the environment where everybody wants to pollute the environment and the throwaway culture.”

“We are the waste generators and we must take responsibility for the waste. Let us be eco-friendly by reducing usage of plastic materials and stopping the throw-away culture and instead protect our mother earth, since it is the only planet we have and we must take care of it,” said Mamo.

By Dickson Mwiti

Amuru, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Pupils of Olwal Mucaja Primary School in Guru Guru Sub-county, Amuru district on Thursday marked the World Environment Day with a powerful school debate aimed at raising awareness about the dangers of plastic pollution.

The debate held under the theme “This house believes that poor plastic disposal is the main cause of environmental degradation” drew pupils, teachers, parents and local leaders who gathered to hear the young voices speak on the most pressing environmental issue of the day.

World Environment Day was marked globally under the theme “End plastic Pollution”.

At Olwal Mucaja Primary School, the school debate was organized by the Eastern and Southern Africa Small Scale Farmers Forum (ESAFF) Uganda, an organization that brings together small scale farmers in partnership with the school management.

During the debate, both the proposition and opposition sides comprised of three debaters each tackled the motion with conviction and clarity, with each side wooing the other to join their camp in support of their discussions.

The proposition team argued that improper plastic waste disposals such as open littering of plastic bottles is the root cause of environmental degradation since plastics don’t rot and this affects micro-organisms that supports soil fertility and ultimately agriculture.

On the opposition side, other debaters contended that while plastic pollution is a serious environmental concern, other factors such as mining, harmful wastes from industries and deforestation too contribute to the degradation of the environment but not on plastics.

The one-hour debate was both competitive and enlightening, with the debaters both showing strong public speaking skills, research and team work. It ended with the team of two judges all teachers at the school declaring the proposition team winners citing their strong arguments.

Cosmas Apuke, the Head teacher of Olwal Mucaja primary School says the debate helps in creating awareness about the dangers of plastic wastes adding that through the pupils debating about it, the knowledge will cascade to the community.

Apuke says that through the debate, the school will also make improvements on how it handles plastic waste.

17-year-old Suzan Akanyo, a primary seven pupil and a member of the school Agro-ecology club, appealed to the community members to ensure they properly dispose of any plastic material after use to avoid plastic pollution.

“If you use those plastic bags, put them in a confined place which cannot pollute the environment, you should have dustbins at every corner we walk so that plastics are not scattered,” said Akanyo.

Julius Engwedu, the Programmes Assistant for livelihood development and climate resilience at ESAFF Uganda, says engaging young people in such debates is a more sustainable way of combating plastic pollution in the community.

Among key activities conducted by ESAFF Uganda in commemorating the World Environment Day was cleaning of Olwal Trading Center and Olwal Market, one of the rural areas in Amuru district grappling with plastic pollution. Others included the hands on plastic recycling training with the local farmers.

Local leaders in Amuru district, however, raised concerns during the community dialogue over the escalating improper plastic waste management in rural areas, attributing the problem to inadequate awareness among residents.

David Aliker, the Parish Chief of Amora Parish in Guru Guru Sub-county, says plastic materials remain one of the most used packaging materials in the rural communities, yet the locals don’t know how to properly dispose of them. Aliker notes that, unlike in the urban areas where a great number of people know the dangers of plastic waste, those in rural communities have limited knowledge and call for an urgent intervention for mass sensitisation.

Aliker explains that already within his community, the negative impacts of improper waste disposals are visible citing scattered discarded plastic bottles, and polythene bags, and loss of soil fertility which is affecting farming.

Samuel Peter Opiyo, the LCIII Councilor and Secretary for marketing and Production for Opok Parish says the biggest challenge with plastic waste management in his area is the lack of personnel specifically assigned for waste management. He also notes that the problem is further compounded by the lack of waste management infrastructure.

World Environment day was established in 1972 by the UN general Assembly to raise global awareness and promoting global action for the environment.

Globally, according to the UN Environment program (UNEP), over 430 million tons of plastics are produced annually, of which two thirds become waste after a single use while a staggering 11 million tons of waste enters the ocean and other water bodies.

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As part of this year’s World Environment Day celebrations, Kisii County is demonstrating strong leadership in environmental conservation and sustainable development.

During the celebration, various stakeholders gathered to mark the day with a strong focus on ending plastic pollution at Kereri Girls High School.

Tabitha Mogonchi, the Principal of Kereri Girls High School, expressed her appreciation to the county government and the organizations that participated in the event.

“We are very happy as a school because we have learned a lot today about our role in addressing plastic pollution,” she said. “We have active clubs such as the environmental club and the scouting club, which play a key role in making our school a cleaner and greener environment.”

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She further noted the school’s proactive steps, including the installation of litter bins across the school compound to encourage proper waste disposal.

“Our students are responsible and involved in managing waste plastics, food leftovers, and paper, all sorted and collected in designated bins. This effort helps maintain a clean school environment and supports broader conservation goals,” Tabitha stated.

Kisii County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Environment, Climate Change, and Natural Resources, Leah Bwari, announced that the county government is in the process of establishing three tree nurseries across several wards.

Bwari said that the nurseries are expected to serve as a long-term source of seedlings to support water catchment restoration efforts across the region.

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“Through the Directorate of Climate Change, Environment, and Natural Resources, we are implementing innovative solutions to promote the sustainable use of natural resources,” Bwari said.

She added that the county is currently solarising water projects to reduce dependence on non-renewable energy and support the transition to clean energy.

According to Bwari, the county government is promoting roof water catchment and harvesting initiatives.

So far, 197 water tanks have been distributed to public institutions to enhance water security and resilience against climate change.

To further address the solid waste management challenge, the county has collaborated with the private sector to improve the Material Recovery Centre at Kisii Agricultural Training Centre.

Bwari said that the facility now plays a crucial role in recycling plastic waste and promoting waste segregation at the source, a vital step in protecting the environment.

By Elizabeth Angira

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Hyderabad: World Environment Day serves as a timely reminder of the urgent need for collective action to tackle environmental challenges, particularly the growing menace of plastic pollution. This year’s theme calls on individuals, organisations, industries, and governments to adopt sustainable practices and drive real-world change. Several Indian celebrities are going beyond symbolic gestures, putting in their time, voice, and resources into the pursuit of environmental health.

From setting up sustainability-driven initiatives to endorsing environmental campaigns, Bollywood actors are leveraging their influence to inspire actions and promote eco-friendly lifestyles. Below is a list of some of the well-known celebrities who are contributing to the well-being of the planet.

Alia Bhatt

Bollywood actor Alia Bhatt has made a major contribution to making people aware of environmental concerns by launching her initiative, Coexist. With the aim of bringing the interdependence of nature and human life to the forefront, the initiative brings to the forefront such topics as the conservation of wildlife and ocean pollution. Alia has also organised adoption drives for animals and social media campaigns supporting the less use of single-use plastics by the masses, using the hashtag #BeatPlasticPollution.

In addition to that, Alia started a clothing brand for children called Edamamma, and with that, she created a conscious line of kidswear that is not only comfortable but also good for the environment.

Bhumi Pednekar

Actor Bhumi Pednekar has become a vocal champion of environmental sustainability. She started Climate Warrior, an online platform that helps people learn about important environmental issues like climate change and deforestation. Through social media and educational posts, she encourages her followers to make eco-friendly choices and reduce their impact on the planet.

In an earlier interview with a newswire, she stated, “My goal as a climate warrior this year is genuinely to see people take action on planet-conscious behaviour. I think for me all of 2021 is only going to be about hammering better habits, about hammering and making sure that people actually do something about everything that we have been speaking about, right from less consumption of single-use plastics to making sure that individually we all reduce our carbon footprint.”

Dia Mirza

UN Environment Goodwill Ambassador Dia Mirza has been a strong voice within the environmental movement for years. She has not only taken up the cause on a global level, but has consciously spread awareness about little ways you can contribute to the change. She often shares advice on sorting waste, choosing eco-friendly fashion, and making small lifestyle changes that help the environment.

Dia is also the ambassador for the Wildlife Trust of India as well as a member of the Sanctuary Nature Foundation. She believes that even small steps toward a greener lifestyle can make a big difference, saying, “Every little deed towards a greener lifestyle goes a long way and every little choice that we make must be rooted in respecting the diversity of nature.”

Aamir Khan

Superstar Aamir Khan, along with his ex-wife, filmmaker Kiran Rao, co-founded the Paani Foundation, a non-profit aimed at combating drought and managing water resources in Maharashtra. The foundation organises the Satyamev Jayate Water Cup, a competition that sees villages across the state implement water conservation and watershed management techniques.

This initiative has led to transformative changes in rural communities, helping them become water-resilient and empowering them to take charge of their environmental future.

Priyanka Chopra

Priyanka Chopra served as a UNICEF Global Ambassador with a pledge to share attention on sustainable development and environmental consciousness. She has worked on countless campaigns promoting sustainable living and was also a part of Greenathon, which encouraged people to create greener habits today to build a better tomorrow for future generations.

Keringet Assistant County Commissioner (ACC) Chebet Katam has urged the local chiefs not to relent in the effort of planting trees to help mitigate the effects of climate change.

Speaking during a tree planting exercise held on Thursday at Bararget forest in Kuresoi South to mark the world environment day, Katam emphasised the need for the chiefs to use their various public engagement forums and push for this agenda that is in line with the government tree restoration programme targeting planting of 15 billion trees by 2032.

“It is our duty to ensure that we involve the locals in this initiative through the barazas, farmers training sessions, school outreach programmes and any other public engagement so that they can participate fully in the environmental conservation effort,” said Katam.

She lauded the effort by the National Government Administrative Officers (NGAO) in spearheading the tree planting exercise since the onset of the Chief’s Climate Action Day, saying that the locals are now embracing the exercise that is conducted once a month.

“We should not have a culture of waiting for specific days to plant trees but instead, we should take it up as our responsibility to grow and nurture the trees at any given period so that we are able to surpass our target,” advised the ACC.

She further urged the locals who are aware of such initiatives to also help pass the information to others who may not be aware.

And with such effort in place, they will be able to integrate climate change messages which will act as a constant reminder to achieve the goal.

“This awareness has worked tremendously well with our farmers who have been exposed to water harvesting, soil health and other issues of concern in agriculture but not yet for the tree planting exercise,” she said.

The Chief’s Climate Day initiative began last year. It was a directive from the government that all chiefs are to mobilise their locals and other stakeholders in the environment sector to plant at least 250 trees on every first Friday of the month with the intention to grow a culture of environmental responsibility.

By Emily Kadzo