Kenya pushes refill, reuse systems to tackle plastic waste

Kenya's government has emphasized its dedication to curbing plastic pollution at its origin and advancing sustainable waste management via enhanced refill and reuse systems. At the presentation of policy recommendations aimed at bolstering refill and reuse systems, Deputy Director of Waste Management and Pollution Control, Njoroge Mbitu, highlighted that these suggestions aim to reinforce Kenya's current waste management and extended producer responsibility (EPR) framework.

Mbitu elaborated that the recommendations prioritize waste prevention, reusable packaging, producer accountability, and the emergence of a circular economy. As the recipient of the policy recommendations on behalf of the State Department for Environment and Climate Change, Mbitu pointed out Kenya's substantial strides in tackling plastic pollution, such as the 2017 ban on plastic carrier bags, the Sustainable Waste Management Act of 2022, and the Sustainable Waste Management (Extended Producer Responsibility) Regulations of 2024.

He expressed the government's commitment to improving the execution of these frameworks while collaborating with stakeholders to tackle emerging obstacles in plastic waste management. Mbitu welcomed the involvement of civil society, private-sector entities, waste pickers, and other stakeholders in enhancing Kenya's environmental governance architecture.

He acknowledged the recommendations and constructive collaboration from stakeholders in promoting sustainable waste management, noting that refill and reuse systems can minimize waste at its source, augment recycling and recovery efforts, and generate opportunities for green jobs and innovation. The State Department pledged to persist in engaging stakeholders while reinforcing policy and regulatory structures and enhancing the implementation of existing environmental statutes.

The recommendations call for the establishment of a National Refill and Reuse Framework under the Sustainable Waste Management Act, encompassing standards for refillable packaging, product safety, labeling, hygiene, traceability, and the creation of deposit-return systems. Additionally, they propose strengthening the EPR framework through mandatory refill and reuse targets for specific product categories, improved reporting requirements, and heightened investment by producers in waste prevention and reusable packaging systems.

The recommendations also underscore the significance of cooperation between national and county governments in devising suitable local mechanisms for refill stations, circular packaging initiatives, and community involvement. Furthermore, the proposals advocate for economic incentives, including tax measures and public financing mechanisms, to aid refill and reuse businesses, particularly small and medium enterprises.

Public entities could also endorse reusable and refill-based products through sustainable public procurement. Mbitu stated that the government acknowledges the pivotal role played by informal waste workers in Kenya's waste management system, expressing that the recommendations propose greater inclusion of waste pickers in circular economy and producer responsibility systems, such as access to training, protective equipment, and fair remuneration.

The recommendations pinpoint beverages, cleaning products, personal care products, dry foods, and cooking oils as potential candidates for incremental shifts towards refill and reuse models, contingent on suitable health, safety, and quality standards. The proposed measures are anticipated to diminish single-use packaging waste, fortify adherence to Kenya's constitutional entitlement to a clean and healthy environment, generate green jobs, and facilitate the nation's metamorphosis into a circular and resource-efficient economy.