Environmental pollution through use of non-disposable waste continues to be a global menace. Stakeholders at continental stage have developed practical solutions and policies to mitigate the diverse effects on terrestrial ecosystem. In Kenya, the government banned the Single Use Plastics in a bid to conserve the environment and its wildlife. However, enforcement of the policy in the public spaces is still a giant challenge. As an Organization, 3Es Experience is working to support the implementation process by providing solutions and alternatives to compliment the government efforts hence, the Waste Free Park Initiative.
The Waste Free Park Initiative is aimed at environmental conservation and wildlife protection of the National Parks ecosystem by discouraging littering and encouraging environmentalfriendly ways of waste disposal. This is so that non-biodegradable waste does not end up inside the park, causing harm to the ecosystem and endangering lives of animals with threats of extinction.
Visitors coming into the National Parks are issued with environmentally-friendly litter bags in a bid to mop up plastics at the animals’ sanctuary. Visitors to the park use the biodegradable bags issued to collect their litter -- mainly water, food and snacks packaging used while inside the park-- and disposed of it in litter bins and recycle stations at the entrance, or with some carrying them home to dispose of responsibly. Through this, non-biodegradable plastic waste that are threat to the park ecosystem are discarded from the park.
The Waste Free Park Initiative has been running from October of 2020 especially on major
public holidays. This is because there is high number of visitors coming to the park for game drives. The 3Es Experience team and volunteers are involved in sensitizing visitors and distributing litters bags to tour vans and private vehicles.
The initiative has had the following successes;
- Over 1000 man hours have been put on the ground by the team in distribution of the litter bags, collection of feedback and sensitization to the general public on matters related to Environmental Conservation and Wildlife Protection.
- The litter bags have been distributed to over 10,000 tourist vehicles both private and tour vehicles.
- Over 60,000 visitors and the general public have been sensitized on matters related to Environmental Conservation and Wildlife protection.
- The team has engaged 50 volunteers so far in environmental sensitization and wildlife protection.
- Feedback has been willingly collected from some visitors through verbal interviews by 3Es Experience Organisation team.
3Es Experience plans to scale up the initiative to other national parks such as Tsavo, Lake Nakuru, Amboseli and Maasai Mara through strategic partnerships and collaborations. This will not only keep our wildlife safe for survival, but boost the capacity and capability of our parks as source of foreign income.
3Es Experience is also looking for like-minded institutions and partners so that it can maximize its impact on the initiative. Feel Free to Get in Touch!