Kenya has begun test runs of Africa’s first plant that converts end of life plastic waste into commercial synthetic fuel oil. The Kiambu County-based plant uses a conversion technology that involves heating the waste under controlled conditions to produce oil, similar to industrial diesel oil (IDO) and heavy fuel oil (HFO) used in power plants, industrial furnaces and boilers.
This shows the country’s resolve to stem the plastic pollution menace that has refused to melt away. Over 24 million plastic bags are used monthly in Kenya, according to the Green Belt Movement, half of which end up in the solid waste mainstream. Plastic bags now constitute the biggest challenge to solid waste management in the country.
Industrial and Commercial Development Corporation has provided about 46% of the financing for the successful implementation of the project by Alternative Energy Systems Limited. The funds have been used for construction of factory buildings and purchase & installation of machinery and equipment, which were sourced both from abroad and locally.
Alternative Energy Systems CEO, Mr Rajesh Kent said the project will be ready for commissioning in March. “We have begun test runs for the machinery in preparation for official commissioning in early March, 2017. This technology will be transformational in how we handle plastics in this country and Kenya will be used as a benchmark on the continent,” said Kent.
The technology has capacity to convert all types of plastic including thin-gauge plastic waste that are below 30 microns, which other industries cannot recycle.
“We know that counties experience myriad challenges dealing with plastic waste. However, our investment in this sector will see them not only save a lot, but facilitate communities to generate wealth from plastic waste in line with our goal of turning ideas into wealth,” said ICDC acting executive director, Kennedy Wanderi.
This innovation comes on the back of a proposed Nairobi County Plastic Control Bill 2016 that will see shoppers within the city pay for plastic bags. The Bill states that retailers will not be allowed to provide consumers with recycled non-biodegradable plastic free of charge for carrying their shopping. Relevant departments charged with manufacture and use of such plastic will be required to prescribe prices depending on size and quality of the bags. The extra cost on plastic bags is envisaged to cater for waste management by controlling usage.
This Kenyan plant is a first of its kind commercial project, with a similar model currently under piloting in South Africa. It has a capacity of recycling 16 tones of plastic waste per day. More than 1,500 indirect youth jobs will be created for collection of plastic waste, which is the main raw material required for the plant. Additional 65 direct jobs will be created in machinery operations and performance of administrative duties.
Elsewhere in the world, India, Germany and United States of America have large-scale projects of similar nature.
“We are targeting firms keen on pushing the agenda for clean environments and which prefers low Sulphur fuels,” said Kent.
A 2016 UNEP Frontiers Report: Emerging Issues of Environmental Concern indicates that as the world’s demand for plastic materials continues to grow, management of plastic waste will remain a global challenge. According to the report, in 2014, global plastic production exceeded 311 million metric tons, a 4.0% increase over 2013. In 2010 according to the same report, out of 2.5 billion metric tons of solid waste generated by 192 countries, about 275 million tons consisted of plastic. It has been estimated that between 4.8 and 12.7 million tons ended up in the ocean as a result of inadequate solid waste management.
Recognizing the environmental and economic impacts of plastics in the marine environment, in June 2014 the United Nations Environment Assembly, represented by over 163 countries, adopted a resolution to address the issue of marine plastic debris and micro-plastics through legislation, improved waste management, efficient use and sound management of plastics, enforcement of international agreements, and education.
