Kenya’s Ban on Single-Use Plastics in Protected Areas Comes Into Effect on World Environment Day

● Kenya’s ban on single-use plastics in protected areas comes into effect this World Environment Day, whose theme is saving biodiversity

● The ban prohibits visitors from carrying plastic water bottles, cups, disposable plates, cutlery, and straws into national parks, forests, beaches, and conservation areas

● The Flipflopi, the world’s first 100% recycled-plastic dhow, currently anchored at the Kenya Wildlife Service HQ, wholeheartedly supports the ban

● The Flipflopi and its supporters are now calling for East African Community to continue to work together to reduce single use plastics with the region.

● The Flipflopi will be undertaking a second expedition backed by UNEP across Lake Victoria in 2021

Nairobi, Kenya, 2nd June 2020: Nearly 3 years after Kenya’s monumental ban on plastic bags, Kenya’s ban on the use of single-use plastics in national parks, forests, beaches, and conservation areas has taken effect.

The ban prohibits visitors from carrying plastic water bottles, disposable plates and cups, cutlery, and straws into protected areas, with the aim of curbing the growing plastic pollution.

“The preservation of our environment is tied to our well being and the well being of future generations. This ban is yet another first in addressing the plastic pollution catastrophe facing Kenya and the world, and we hope that it catalyses similar policies and actions from the East African community.” Said Najib Balala, Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife.

CS Balala inaugurated the Flipflopi dhow in Lamu as the guest of honor for its first sail in Lamu in September 2018 on World Clean Up Day. The Flipflopi - the world’s first sailing boat (“dhow”) made entirely from plastic waste collected from towns and beaches in Kenya, is currently anchored at the Kenyan Wildlife Service HQ, one of the first places that will see the effects from the implementation of this transformative ban.

“We are proud to have been a part of the Flipflopi from the very beginning. This world’s first made in Kenya dhow entirely assembled from recycled plastic by our own craftsmen is testimony to our innovative spirit and a reminder to all that our heritage comes first. Kenya again is taking the lead on global environmental issues with the enforcement of a complete ban of single use plastics in our protected areas.”

*CS Balala presents a gift to Flipflopi Co-Founder and Chief Dhow builder Ali Skanda on World Clean Up Day*

The ban comes into effect this World Environment Day whose theme is biodiversity and comes at a time when it has never been more urgent to protect nature from the catastrophic decay and deterioration that has been caused by human action.

Single use plastics and the resulting pollution is one of the biggest catastrophes of our generation and a major threat to biodiversity, which has escalated exponentially over the last few decades, killing our freshwater and marine ecosystems and now negatively impacts the health of communities. It is estimated there may now be around 5 trillion macro and microplastic pieces floating in the ocean, making up 60-90% of marine debris.[reference 1]

This new ban is the latest in Kenya’s wide-ranging measures to protect the environment through limiting pollution, further cementing its leadership in environmental conservation and protection.

“We have witnessed the catastrophic effect single-use plastics have on our ecosystems and our communities.” Said Dipesh Pabari, Flipflopi Project Leader

“And now, during the pandemic, we are witnessing first-hand what happens when we destroy our planet, which is that we destroy the system that supports human life. That is why we wholeheartedly support this new ban and now encourage the East African community to take even bolder action in the future.”

As part of their own initiatives to support World Environment Day, The Flipflopi and their supporters, including Kenyan activist, James Wakibia, and singer-songwriter, Muthoni Drummer Queen, have just launched a new Swahili campaign in the hope to make environmental education more accessible to East Africans.(http://www.theflipflopi.com/swahili)

Together with a brand new Swahili website, there are also educational materials aimed at inspiring school children and teachers during the covid-19 pandemic. Visitors are encouraged to explore the website and sign a new petition to end single-use plastic in East Africa at http://www.theflipflopi.com/swahili/petition

Muthoni Drummer Queen, famed Kenyan musician and Flipflopi Ambassdor said, “We are thrilled to bring our new Swahili website and educational materials to the wider population. We hope that this helps make environmental issues more accessible to East Africans who hold the keys to turning the tide against single-use plastics. Now we are calling on everyone to help accelerate further action by calling for a widespread regional ban against single-use plastics, beyond Kenya, and across the entire East African community.”

About Flipflopi

The Flipflopi is the world’s first sailing boat made entirely from waste plastic and flip-flops collected from beaches and towns on the Kenyan coast. Flipflopi made global headlines in 2019 when it sailed 500km from Lamu, Kenya to Zanzibar, Tanzania as part of the UN environment programme Clean Seas initiative, creating huge international awareness on the impact of plastic pollution and changing mindsets and behaviours about waste plastic.
A new expedition is planned in January 2021 to Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest freshwater lake, and home to 40 million inhabitants. The expedition aims to draw the world’s attention to the pollution affecting the health and environment of the Lake, and engage communities, businesses and policy-makers in Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya to make commitments to end single use plastic. Flipflopi’s vision is a world which has banned single-use plastic, and where responsible production and consumption of plastic is part of a circular, not linear, economy. See more: http://www.theflipflopi.com/

Sign the petition calling for a regional ban on single-use plastics: http://www.theflipflopi.com/petition

About World Environment Day

World Environment Day is the most renowned day for environmental action. Since 1974, it has been celebrated every year on 5 June; engaging governments, businesses, celebrities and citizens to focus their efforts on a pressing environmental issue.

In 2020, the theme is biodiversity–a concern that is both urgent and existential. Recent events, from bushfires in Brazil, the United States and Australia to locust infestations across East Africa–and now, a global disease pandemic–demonstrate the interdependence of humans and the webs of life in which they exist. Nature is sending us a message.

Above all, World Environment Day offers a global platform for inspiring positive change. It recognizes that global change requires a global community. It pushes for individuals to think about the way they consume; for businesses to develop greener models; for farmers and manufacturers to produce more sustainably; for governments to safeguard wild spaces; for educators to inspire students to live in harmony with the Earth; and for youth to become fierce gatekeepers of a green future. It requires all of us. See more: https://www.worldenvironmentday.global/

Reference 1: https://p.widencdn.net/e2n0wj/WED_SimpleToolkit

For more information, please contact:

Davina Ngei: info@theflipflopi.com