Report on the Development and Harmonization of Laws on Hazardous and Non-Hazardous Wastes

This report provides an in-depth review and critical analysis of the policy, legislative, and institutional frameworks concerning the management of hazardous and non-hazardous wastes in East Africa. Focused on Kenya and Tanzania, it examines national action plans, statutory provisions, and regulatory mechanisms adopted since the mid-1990s to address escalating waste generation due to rapid urbanization and industrialization. The document scrutinizes existing gaps in waste management policies, highlighting the limitations of sectoral statutes that treat waste issues as general nuisances rather than through targeted regulation. It also evaluates the effectiveness of draft regulations, licensing systems, and compliance procedures proposed for waste handlers, storage operators, and transporters, ensuring environmental and public health protection. The report further outlines the move toward harmonized sub-regional approaches, compliance with international conventions, and emphasizes the integration of local authorities, public participation, and capacity-building as key elements for sustainable environmental governance.