Every year on March 15th, World Consumer Rights Day is observed globally to acknowledge the progress made in promoting consumer rights and creating a fair marketplace for all. The idea behind this day was inspired by President John F. Kennedy, who introduced the first four consumer rights: the right to safety, the right to be informed, the right to choose, and the right to be heard. Over time, these rights have been expanded to include the right to redress, the right to satisfaction, the right to reasonable quality & quantity, and the right to a healthy environment.
This year’s World Consumer Rights Day falls in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has led to an increase in the use of single-use plastics, such as gloves and face masks. This has resulted in piles of plastic waste that can pose a threat to all living beings. By 2050, it is projected that the oceans will have more plastic than fish, and it is our responsibility to educate consumers, retailers, and producers to move beyond profit and consider the long-term effects of the use of plastics on the environment and future generations.
We should embrace the use of alternatives to plastics and adopt sustainable practices to prevent further plastic pollution before it’s too late. Kenyans are encouraged to take climate action seriously and say no to plastic pollution. The Consumer Grassroots Association (CGA), together with The Competition Authority of Kenya and other stakeholders, marked this year’s World Consumer Rights Day by launching the #NoPlasticPollution campaign in three counties: Kajiado, Kisumu, and Mombasa. The campaign aimed to raise awareness among consumers on the need to reduce single-use plastics by applying the 7Rs: Rethink, Reuse, Reduce, Refuse, Recycle, Repair, and Replace.
Consumer Grassroots Association March 15 Activities.
As part of the campaign, the CGA educated communities on the effects of plastic pollution on the environment and undertook a cleanup of the Mbagathi River, which is an essential waterway flowing through Nairobi National Park to the Indian Ocean. In Mombasa and Kisumu, the team reached out to consumers in malls and on the streets to raise awareness about the harmful effects of plastic pollution and the importance of consumer rights and responsibilities. More needs to be done to educate consumers about their rights and obligations and to promote sustainable practices to combat plastic pollution.
