Nairobi, Kenya - The Dandora Municipal Dump Site, located about 2.5 miles from the central business district of Nairobi, is the only dumping location for waste in East Africa’s most populous city. It serves as a stark reminder of the growing problems of plastic pollution, poor waste management, and environmental injustice that affect the rapidly expanding capital and region.
The 30-acre dumpsite, which was declared full in 2001, literally spills into the households of nearly one million people living in nearby slums, such as Korogocho and Dandora. These residents, who represent the lowest economic class and most marginalized population in society, have to endure the foul smell, toxic smoke, and vermin that infest the dumpsite. They also face serious health risks from the exposure to hazardous waste, such as medical waste, industrial chemicals, and electronic waste, that are illegally dumped in the site.
According to a 2007 report by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP)1, the Dandora dumpsite has severe environmental and social impacts on the surrounding communities and ecosystems. The report found that 50% of the children living near the dumpsite had respiratory ailments, 42% had blood lead levels above the acceptable limits, and 36% had skin disorders. The report also noted that the dumpsite was a source of air, water, and soil pollution, as well as a contributor to climate change through the emission of greenhouse gases.
The UNEP report recommended the closure and rehabilitation of the Dandora dumpsite, as well as the development of an integrated solid waste management system for Nairobi. However, more than a decade later, the dumpsite remains open and operational, despite several attempts by the government and civil society to decommission it. The country’s leadership has shown alarming indifference to the plight of the Dandora residents, ignoring environmental laws, human rights groups, and public outcry.
The Dandora dumpsite also reflects the larger issue of plastic pollution that plagues Kenya and the world. Plastic waste accounts for a significant portion of the waste generated in Nairobi, with 4,400 tonnes of plastic waste produced every single day. Of this waste, 73% remains uncollected, while 27% ends up in dumpsites and other unsanitary landfills. The uncollected waste is either dumped by the roadside, in rivers, or burnt, causing further environmental degradation and health hazards.
The country has taken some steps to address the plastic problem, such as the 2017 ban on single-use plastic carrier bags, which was hailed as a success by environmental activists. However, other forms of non-essential plastics, such as single-use plastic bottles, remain widely used and discarded. The plastic industry has resisted calls for a ban on these products, claiming that they can be recycled and reused.
However, recycling is not a viable solution, as it does not prevent plastic from eventually returning to the environment and leaving the original problem intact. Moreover, recycling in Kenya faces many challenges, such as the high cost of electricity, the low prices of recycled plastic, and the lack of infrastructure and incentives for waste collection and sorting. As a result, only a small fraction of plastic waste is recycled, while the rest piles up in the Dandora dumpsite and other landfills.
The Dandora dumpsite is a symbol of the urgent need for a systemic change in the way we produce, consume, and dispose of plastic and other waste. It is also a call for environmental justice and human dignity for the people who live in its shadow. As the world prepares for a binding plastic treaty by 2024, Kenya has an opportunity to take a leading role in tackling the plastic crisis and transforming its waste management sector. This would not only benefit the environment and the climate, but also the health and well-being of millions of Kenyans.
