The Kenya National Cleaner Production Centre, backed by several UN agencies, is now helping to promote cleaner production practices and technologies that could save Kenyan companies money, and also protect the environment, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) reported on Friday.

Based at the Kenya Research and Development Institute, the centre aims to demonstrate how appropriate management can cut industrial waste and pollution, UNDP said. It will also advise companies on how to adhere to Kenya's Environmental Act, which requires reporting on raw materials used, products produced and waste generated.

"More than 65 per cent of problems related to waste of materials in small and medium industries have to do with the attitude of workers and managers," said Jane Bochaberi Nyakang'o, director of the centre, opened last year with the backing of the UNDP, the UN Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).

Industries can halve waste by simple measures such as good housekeeping, optimum control of production, using better materials, and minor equipment modifications, Nyakang'o added.

"Environmental degradation hits the poor hardest since they are especially vulnerable to problems such as water contamination, land degradation, air pollution and climate change," according to the UN, which is attempting to build national capacity for environmentally sustainable development by promoting best practices and supporting strategic interventions.

The Kenya National Cleaner Production Centre will address good practices in the production of agricultural products, cement, chemicals, iron and steel, mining, pharmaceuticals, pulp and paper, electric power, textiles, tanneries, as well as municipalities and tourism, UNDP reported. [http://www.undp.org/]

The centre has already held training programmes in Kisumu, western Kenya, Mombasa, on the coast, and in the capital, Nairobi. It also offers in-house training for large companies, such as Coca-Cola and the Kenya Power and Lighting Company.

In addition, the centre is engaged developing technical tools and standards to implement environmental legislation and licensing procedures, as well as realistic waste disposal fees and ground water pricing, according to the UNDP.

The UN's support is part of the broader effort to ensure that efforts to reduce poverty and promote environmental conservation tie in with, and actively improve, the livelihoods of poor people.