Students at Dandora secondary school in Nairobi, Kenya have taken it upon themselves to plant bamboo seedlings around their school in hopes of filtering the filthy air coming from the nearby Dandora dumpsite. The dumpsite, which was declared full 23 years ago, still receives hundreds of trucks daily to dump trash, resulting in acrid smoke and respiratory issues for students and residents in the area. The school’s principal initiated the bamboo project as a way to mitigate the effects of the dumpsite on air quality, and the fast-growing bamboo is expected to reach 40 feet when mature.
The United Nations and other organizations have promoted the use of bamboo for its high uptake of carbon dioxide, making it an effective tool in improving air quality. Aderiana Mbandi, an air quality research and policy expert at the United Nations Environment Program, highlighted the impact of air pollution on the body and emphasized the importance of minimizing exposure. The students at Dandora secondary school began planting the bamboo seedlings last August, and they hope to transform their school compound into a green haven in the midst of the litter-strewn Dandora neighborhood.
While the publicly funded school relies on donations to afford the bamboo seedlings, the school management is determined to continue until bamboo lines the 900-meter wall that separates the school and the dumpsite. The Dandora dump, occupying about 50 hectares of land and receiving over 2,000 tons of waste daily, has been a major source of pollution in the area. Air quality monitoring from UNEP and the Stockholm Environment Institute revealed that only 12 out of 166 days had excellent air quality according to World Health Organization guidelines, indicating the severity of pollution in the region.
In addition to planting bamboo, the school is also planting trees such as jacaranda and grevillea to further improve air circulation around the compound. Student Josiah Nyamwata highlighted the ease of obtaining and planting the trees, emphasizing the benefits they bring in boosting air quality. However, the school faces additional challenges, such as vultures from the dumpsite becoming a nuisance during mealtimes. Despite these challenges, the students and school management remain committed to their efforts in improving air quality and creating a healthier environment for all.
