Kenya Association of (KAM) has partnered with Clever Green
Kenya (CGK) to manage post-consumer plastic waste in the country through the
formation and management of a Producer Responsibility Organization.
The organization shall setup Extended Producer
Responsibility (EPR) schemes for the benefit of KAM Members and other plastic
users, as per the recommendations of the Kenya Plastics Action Plan launched in
December 2019.
The Action Plan is a private sector-led policy and action
plan aimed at enabling a circular economy for environmentally sustainable use
and recycling of plastics in Kenya.
It identifies the specific actions that the public and
private sector should undertake to achieve this including waste management at
county level, formation and regulation of EPR schemes and establishment of
recycling value chains and standards.
KAM Vice-Chair and PET Sub-sector Chair, Mr Mucai Kunyiha said
that the role of the manufacturing sector in circular economy rests in
sustainable waste management and EPR Schemes.
Circular economy aims to eradicate waste—not just from
manufacturing processes, as lean management aspires to do, but systematically,
throughout the life cycles and uses of products and their components.
“A huge opportunity remains in the development of a waste
management and recycling industry in Kenya that would contribute to the Big 4
Agenda. This would lead to a Circular Economy where environmental and economic
concerns converge for the good of all,” said Kunyiha.
He added that environmental conservation remains an
objective for us all and plastics recycling have the potential to change our
economic wellbeing.
He also said KAM looks forward to ensure the recycling value
chain is clearly defined and the necessary policies established and implemented
to achieve desired recycling goals of up to 70% of all plastics collected and
recycled by 2020.
Speaking on behalf of CGK, Mr Hasit Patel noted that CGK
seeks to develop a sustainable waste management ecosystem by creating a
platform on which waste management stakeholders can interact.
“This model will enable manufacturers/producers and
users/converters in the packaging industry to fulfil their EPR obligation. Its
operation will target manufacturers to pay an annual membership fee and monthly
EPR fees to support waste collection, sorting recycling, public awareness and
education. EPR fees will be used to collect, sort and recycle waste.”
“CGK will collaborate with public and private sector
institutions to realise a circular economy through sustainable waste management
that will contribute to social, environmental and economic transformation in
Kenya. CGK’s long term vision is to offer practical solutions to tackle all
plastic waste which can be recycled in Kenya,” remarked Mr Patel.
The partnership will see both companies explore the
possibility for support and collaboration in public and government engagement
activities, collaborate in conducting education, awareness and capacity
building activities on the EPR schemes and the management of post-consumer
plastic waste, and engage in research and advocacy on plastic waste management
in Kenya.
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