Nairobi: The Government has reiterated its commitment to strengthening measures aimed at reducing plastic pollution at the source and promoting sustainable waste management through refill and reuse systems. The commitment was reaffirmed when the Deputy Director, Waste Management and Pollution Control, Njoroge Mbitu, received policy recommendations on strengthening refill and reuse systems on behalf of the State Department for Environment and Climate Change.
According to Kenya News Agency, the recommendations seek to complement Kenya’s existing waste management and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework by promoting waste prevention, encouraging reusable packaging, strengthening producer responsibility, and supporting the development of a circular economy. Notably, Kenya has made significant progress in addressing plastic pollution, including through the 2017 ban on plastic carrier bags, the Sustainable Waste Management Act, 2022, and the Sustainable Waste Management (Extended Producer Responsibility) Regulations, 2024.
The government continues to strengthen the implementation of these frameworks while working with stakeholders to address emerging challenges in plastic waste management. Receiving the recommendations, Mbitu welcomed the contribution of civil society, private-sector actors, waste pickers, and other stakeholders towards strengthening Kenya’s environmental governance framework. ‘The Government appreciates the recommendations and the constructive engagement by stakeholders in advancing sustainable waste management,’ expressed the Deputy Director, pointing out that refill and reuse systems have the potential to reduce waste at the source, complement recycling and recovery initiatives, and create opportunities for green jobs and innovation.
Further, the recommendations call for the development of a National Refill and Reuse Framework under the Sustainable Waste Management Act, including standards for refillable packaging, product safety, labelling, hygiene, traceability, and the establishment of deposit-return systems. They propose strengthening the EPR framework through mandatory refill and reuse targets for selected product categories, improved reporting requirements, and greater investment by producers in waste prevention and reusable packaging systems.
According to Mbitu, the recommendations also highlight the importance of collaboration between the national and county governments in developing appropriate local mechanisms for refill stations, circular packaging initiatives, and community participation. Additionally, the proposals call for economic incentives, including tax measures and public financing mechanisms, to support refill and reuse businesses, particularly small and medium enterprises. Public institutions could also promote reusable and refill-based products through sustainable public procurement.
Mbitu maintained that the government recognizes the important role played by informal waste workers in Kenya’s waste management system. ‘The recommendations therefore propose stronger integration of waste pickers into circular economy and producer responsibility systems, including access to training, protective equipment, and fair compensation,’ he highlighted. Further, the recommendations identify beverages, cleaning products, personal care products, dry foods, and cooking oils among products that could progressively transition towards refill and reuse models, subject to appropriate health, safety, and quality standards.
Ultimately, Mbitu established that the proposed measures are intended to reduce single-use packaging waste, strengthen compliance with Kenya’s constitutional right to a clean and healthy environment, create green jobs, and support the country’s transition towards a circular and resource-efficient economy. He reiterated that the State Department for Environment and Climate Change will continue working with relevant government agencies, county governments, industry, civil society, communities, and other stakeholders to strengthen sustainable waste management and advance Kenya’s environmental and climate action agenda.
In attendance were Hellen Kahaso (Greenpeace Africa), Ledonar Okeyo (CEJAD), Yvonne Khaemba (WWF-Kenya), and Joyce Wangari (Kenya National Waste Pickers Association), among others.
