Kenya's Ban on Scrap Metal Trade to Shut Recycling Plant

The plant, which used to receive around 2,000 tonnes of lead per month, has been receiving barely any material since the presidential order was issued, he added.

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The Athi River battery recycling plant, operated by the Associated Battery Manufacturers (ABM), faces threat of closure following the ban imposed on scrap metal trade by the Kenyan administration.

The company has warned that it may be forced to go ahead with plans of imminent closure of the Sh1 billion plant, which recycles old batteries into pure lead and reusable plastic. It blamed acute shortage of raw materials, which in turn has affected smooth operations at the plant. The operator blamed that the ban has been incorrectly interpreted by enforcement agencies, including county governments, which in turn has led to acute scarcity of raw materials.

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Guy Jack, Chief Executive Officer, ABM said that the plant looks set to close shortly, if the Presidential order is not clarified correctly to local authorities and enforcement agencies. The export ban, which originally is applicable to exports out of the country, has been wrongly interpreted as being applicable to local movement of materials as well. The plant, which used to receive around 2,000 tonnes of lead per month, has been receiving barely any material since the presidential order was issued, he added.

The presidential directive followed dramatic surge in acts of vandalism. The moratorium will be in effect until the government comes up with proper guidelines to regulate the sector.