Greenpeace Africa urges Kenya to scale up refill and reuse systems to combat plastic pollution

KENYA – Environmental activists are calling for urgent national adoption of refill and reuse systems to curb Kenya’s growing plastic pollution crisis.

Greenpeace Africa issued the appeal during the launch of the inaugural Refill and Reuse Festival held at the National Museums of Kenya in Nairobi, saying the country must move beyond waste management and tackle plastic production at its source.

The two-day festival brought together civil society groups, policymakers, innovators, manufacturers and communities to spotlight practical alternatives to single-use plastic.

Hellen Dena, Project Lead for the Pan-African Plastics Project at Greenpeace Africa, said refill and reuse practices are not new to African societies but have been crowded out by the rise of corporate-driven disposable packaging.

“Refill and reuse systems are rooted in our culture,” she said. “What is new is the invasion of single-use plastics pushed by corporations prioritizing profit over people and planet. Governments must invest in refill infrastructure and set clear targets that make reuse the norm.”

Dena noted that refill involves repeatedly using the same container for the same product, while reuse allows consumers to repurpose containers for new functions.

She highlighted examples already familiar to Kenyans, milk ATMs, water refill stations and oil dispensing points, as evidence that the model is both practical and scalable.

Kenya banned single-use plastics in 2017 and has enacted policies such as the Sustainable Waste Management Act and extended producer responsibility regulations.

However, Greenpeace argues these measures remain reactive, focusing on waste handling rather than reducing production.

“Recycling alone is insufficient,” Dena said. “Only nine per cent of all plastic ever produced has been effectively recycled.”

Greenpeace Africa campaigner Gerance Mutwol added that recycling often shifts responsibility to consumers while allowing corporations to continue mass-producing plastics.

He warned that plastics persist in the environment, leaching harmful chemicals into soils, rivers and even human bodies.

Local businesses showcased natural, reusable alternatives during the festival. Baskets Kenya, for example, produces woven shopping and storage baskets made from sisal, raffia, palm leaves and banana fibres, materials that biodegrade naturally.

“These products replace disposable plastics and decompose without harming the environment,” said spokesperson Deborah Riru.

Stakeholders also highlighted the need for fairer systems for Kenya’s waste workers. Gisore Nyabuti, chairperson of the Kenya National Waste Speakers Welfare Association, said refill and reuse models offer more dignity and income stability compared with conventional recycling.

He described the current system as inequitable, with small-scale consumers paying more for smaller packages, a “poverty tax”, while informal waste collectors earn little despite bearing the brunt of pollution.

The Ministry of Environment is developing technical guidelines to standardise refill and reuse systems across sectors, said Dorothy Otieno of the Centre for Environment, Justice and Development.

She added that zero-waste models using natural materials such as cotton and sisal can create local jobs and reduce resource extraction.

The festival also featured refill stations, children’s upcycling competitions and live performances to promote hands-on learning.

Campaigners urged government leaders to provide funding and political commitment to scale up refill and reuse nationwide, warning that the hidden costs of plastic pollution, including clogged drainage systems, incineration, cleanup efforts and health impacts, are already costing the country billions.

“Throwaway culture is expensive,” Dena said. “Refill and reuse offer a solution that is environmentally sustainable and economically beneficial.”

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