Trash Talk

“There is no such thing as ‘away’. When we throw anything ‘away’, it must go somewhere.”

As distasteful as it may sound, the average consumer in Kenya is more likely to toss wrappers into the nearest gutter than give two hoots about consumer responsibility. Dare I speak of the car window philanthropy. Not the car window philanthropy

More than often, within the Kenyan context, the sheer commitment to environmental chaos is, quite frankly, unparalleled. Responsible waste management is a mix of practical constraints, market turbulence, cultural habits, emerging awareness and infrastructural gaps. As it is, in most households, there’s currently minimal to no practice of responsible waste management practices such as waste segregation at source. However, there is a strong culture of reuse where items like plastic containers and bags are repurposed for domestic use, more out of necessity than environmental consciousness. Necessity remains yet as the mother of invention but hey a win is a win and yes, I am talking about that ice cream tub with githeri in the freezer.

I believe it is time for us as a society to move beyond boardroom conversations and wishful thinking because logically, “There is no such thing as ‘away’. When we throw anything ‘away’, it must go somewhere.” While awareness of responsible waste management is gradually increasing particularly among urban, educated and younger populations, actual behavior change remains slow, hindered by systemic barriers and entrenched habits.

Can we please have an actual behavioral update and liquify entrenched habits? Altogether, as you promised in that CRE exam back in class 4, other than participating in clean ups within your local habitat, which is not very sustainable by the way, here are some of the practices you can adopt in the quest of responsible waste management: That promise you made in class 4? It’s still waiting to be kept.

1. Reduced & Sustainable Consumption: I must admit that retail therapy is great for dopamine and very much terrible for landfills. With less financial wiggle room, impulse buying has taken a backseat with clenched fists and whether intentional or circumstantial, this is win in the sustainability realm. Reduced consumption means less waste and slowly, the planet is quietly benefiting from our budgeting blues. While at it, we can subscribe to the thoughtful purchasing propaganda by opting for reusable items instead of single-use plastics, making purchases in bulk to reduce packaging and choosing durable goods that won’t need frequent replacing. Think of it as a short-term pain and a long-term gain.

2. Repurpose & Upcycle Materials: Have you heard of a sentiment that goes, ‘not past their prime, just between chapters?’ Instead of discarding items, consider repurposing and upcycling. Furniture, fabric and even packaging —like that huge pile of carrier bags shelved somewhere in your home— can be creatively transformed into something new, ultimately reducing the amount of waste that ends up in a landfill.

3. Segregate Waste Properly: I like to think of waste as a playlist and on this end, we don’t mix genres that don’t belong together. By separating organic, recyclable and hazardous waste at home, we contribute to more efficient recycling and safer disposal.

4. Support Circular Economy Initiatives: More than often, evolutions don’t ask for permission, just momentum. The transition from linear to circular economies is a systemic shift that involves every nook and cranny because change without community is just but a cute concept. To actively contribute in the transition, make it as natural as breathing in traffic fumes (unfortunately), to engage with businesses that are rooted in sustainable practices such as those offering refill stations, recycled products or practice ecofriendly processes across product lifecycles and business value chains. It goes a long way in reinforcing circular economies. Systemic shifts involve every nook and cranny because change without community is just but a cute concept!

 5. Educate, Educate, Educate! Talk trash: Literally and figuratively. Creating awareness within societies and advocating for better waste management systems builds collective responsibility. It disregards the bliss of ignorance and nudges communities to do better. Whether through campaigns, barazas, workshops, exhibitions or social media, sparking trash conversations boosts knowledge transfer and can inspire broader behavioral shifts. As a society, I believe our situational awareness matters waste management is no longer in the doldrums. However, we are still far from the finish line, but most certainly not standing still and that, is a win in my books! We are cruising nicely.