NAIROBI, Feb. 6 (Xinhua) -- Kenya's ministry of environment has developed a raft of guidelines to enhance the management of plastic bottles, a senior official said on Tuesday.
Principal Secretary for Environment and Forestry Charles Sunkuli said the guideline will strengthen efforts to manage plastic bottles that are an eyesore in the country.
"We are set to launch the guidelines in April to help promote a clean, healthy, safe and sustainably managed environment for all," Sunkuli said during a media briefing in Nairobi.
The government and plastic manufacturers have agreed on how to collect and sell used plastic bottles in the country, he said.
"The government and the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) have agreed on a plastic bottle take-back scheme involving collecting waste bottles and selling them for recycling," Sunkuli said.
The scheme will follow the best practices as set by PETCO recycling company of South Africa, he said.
Sunkuli said Kenya has attained 80 percent success in realizing the ban on plastic carrier bags.
He attributed the success to international airlines' commitment to continuously advising their passengers to avoid carrying plastic bags while visiting the country and the Kenyan people who have strictly followed the directive.
Sunkuli noted that despite the progress, some businessmen continue to import plastic bags into the country.
"All businessmen involved in the sale of the bags must desist forthwith or else stern action will be taken against them," he said.
