Kenya sets direction for plastic waste management

The Kenya Association of Manufacturers launched a strategic business plan on Oct 14 for the establishment of a Plastic Producer Responsibility Organization as the sector moves from a linear to a circular economy.

The organization will drive the collective extended producer responsibility in the country, where a manufacturer’s responsibility for a product is extended to the post-consumer stage of its life cycle, turning plastic waste into valuable resources.

Developed by the Kenya Association of Manufacturers in partnership with Sustainable Inclusive Business, which is a part of the Kenya Private Sector Alliance Foundation and the Netherlands embassy to Kenya, the business plan seeks to create a circular economy for the environmentally sustainable use and recycling of plastics in Kenya.

The plan is in line with commitments made in the Kenya Plastic Action Plan which had been launched last year.

Mucai Kunyiha, the chairman of the Kenya Association of Manufacturers, said the local manufacturing sector is committed to the establishment of a circular economy, toward sustainably managing waste, to conserve and restore the environment.

“The plan’s focus areas to accelerate a circular economy are to increase collection and recycling simultaneously through creating value and markets for the recycled plastics, enhance industry awareness on sustainable sourcing and production, and develop products designed for recyclability,” he said.

“We are optimistic that Kenya will achieve its targets of being ‘a green hub’ within the region by cementing its leadership in matters relating to climate change and the green economy.”

Ayub Macharia, the director of environmental education and awareness in the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, said the formation of a Plastic Producer Responsibility Organization was informed by the amount of waste in the environment, and the need to manage it by working with the private sector.

“Lack of an extended producer responsibility scheme (plan) in the country led to low waste collection. This is attributed to inadequate infrastructure in the waste management value chain. The strategic business plan shall guide us in managing postconsumer plastic waste in the country, hence conserving our environment for future generations,” he said.

Macharia reiterated the government’s support toward environmental conservation, sustainability and the circular economy.

“We championed the development of the framework of cooperation between industry and government to monitor the progress of management of polyethylene terephthalate consumer waste. We also supported the launch of the Kenya Plastic Action Plan last year,” he said.