Turning trash into cash: Residents earn from household waste

The Kakamega government has launched a household circular economy initiative to turn waste management into income-generating ventures while protecting the environment.

Under the programme, residents are encouraged to view waste not as an eyesore but as a source of wealth, contributing to cleaner surroundings.

County environment, water and national resources and climate change executive Peninah Mukabane said the initiative stems from a tripartite MoU signed in 2024 with Regen Organic and Practical Action.

Residents are urged to separate and segregate solid waste into organic and non-organic components, which can then be sold to waste off-takers in Kakamega, Kisumu and Eldoret.

“We have waste off-takers who can collect sorted waste from homes. Let’s not see waste as an eyesore but as wealth,” Mukabane said.

 “This approach will keep our environment clean, prevent sanitation-related diseases and generate income for households,” she added.

Mukabane said cleaning companies and youth have been organised into waste management associations with support from Practical Action.

These associations facilitate the collection of large volumes of sorted waste, creating economies of scale and attracting buyers. 

She said the initiative aligns with Governor Fernandes Barasa’s six-point agenda to transform the county.

“The county government has established material recovery facilities where solid waste is separated and processed, providing income for young people,” Mukabane said. 

She encouraged residents to adopt waste separation practices in their homes to earn revenue.

The executive spoke during a clean-up exercise by stakeholders in the waste management sector aimed at sensitising residents about sustainable waste management.

Students from Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Kenya Medical Training College and representatives from the Kenya Waste Management Associations participated in the exercise.

 Benon Wesonga said the organisation has supported circular economy practices in Kakamega households.

 “Our focus is on improving sustainable waste management in collaboration with the county government,” Wesonga said.

He said clean-up exercises are used to raise awareness, encouraging residents to separate waste at the household level into organic and non-organic components.

“We are supporting the county government to ensure residents of Kakamega adopt environmentally friendly waste management methods,” he said.