The SAFI Project’s main objective is to create a network of locally funded and operated litter prevention, trash collection, and recycling programs in small towns in the Laikipia region of Northern Kenya. To meet this objective, we have developed a program comprised of five components: Mobilization and Cleanup, Education, Waste Disposal Infrastructure, Local Capacity Building, and Income Generating Activities. The SAFI Project facilitates the implementation of all of these program components in each project town and helps to coordinate collaborative efforts between towns.
Mobilization and Cleanup
There are two main aspects of the public mobilization in each SAFI Project town: a large planning meeting introducing the project and stimulating discussion about trash, and a community cleanup day, featuring music, theater, and other entertainment leading up to a joint effort by the whole community to clean the town center. In addition, a wide number of other mobilization activities will take place throughout the two week period prior to the community cleanup day. All of these mobilization activities are undertaken in conjunction with civil society groups based in the town (local nongovernmental organizations and community self-help groups).
Education
Two main topics are covered in SAFI Project mobilization sessions: the negative effects of litter and the importance of the environment and conservation. This core curriculum was developed in conjunction with local and national environmental groups and is led by trained SAFI Project coordinators. Education sessions are organized as participatory discussions with groups of community members and are tailored towards the specific goals and needs of each community group.
Waste Disposal Infrastructure
Public trash cans and trash pits are the two main components of the waste management infrastructure in each town. Trash cans are distributed to each town and are placed in public places around the town center, as decided by the chief and other community members. Several public trash pits are also dug in each town; these pits will be divided into organic waste (which will be composted), inorganic recyclables, and non recyclable items.
Local Capacity Building
At the planning meeting each of the major civil society groups in the center and the surrounding community are asked to nominate 1-2 members to serve on the town trash committee. The responsibilities of the town trash committee are to work with the government chief enforce the town’s rules against littering, to empty the bins into the trash pits, and to sort trash in to various categories of recycling (organic waste, paper products, plastics). The committee is also in charge of managing revenue from recycling-based income generating activities and allocating these funds for local development projects.
Income Generating Activities
Once towns have developed the infrastructure and capacity for necessary for collecting and disposing of trash, waste materials will be recycled for a variety of income generating activities. Potential products for sale include compost from produced from organic waste, plastic and paper waste cleaned and prepared for commercial recycling, and craft projects constructed in part or in whole from cleaned waste.
The end goal of these activities is for each town trash committee to be financially independent of the SAFI Project. This means that the day-to-day operations of each town trash committee will be financed by the proceeds of recycling and composting enterprises. The SAFI project will continue to assist each town committee and will help to forge links between town committees for the purpose of collaborating on joint ventures.