EAST AFRICA – The East African Business Council (EABC) is keen on green packaging technologies that would safeguard the environment.
Frank Dafa, a technical expert with the regional business body, said packaging using environmentally friendly materials should be promoted.
“Businesses should aim to meet sustainable packaging requirements to reduce costs nd boost their performance,” he pointed out.
Mr Dafa made the appeal during a recently held conference on circular packaging organized in Nairobi for stakeholders from the region.
He outlined crucial challenges related to circular packaging, emphasizing that the time has come for companies to invest there for environmental benefits.
He urged stakeholders to establish a regional framework for the development of a circular economy and sustainable waste management.
Mr Dafa plea comes at a time when the region ranks low in waste management practices. It is also slow in turning waste into other products through recycling, reuse and job creation.
In Tanzania alone, 14800 tonnes of waste are generated daily, 48 percent of which is plastic.
Recently, AB InBev Foundation announced a US$2.3 million (TZS 5.76bn) in funding for the “Building Circular Food Systems” partnership.
In a LinkedIn post, the AB InBev Foundation announced that the program will contribute to its efforts in sustainable agriculture and food security, which are key pillars of the ABIF’s support for SDG2, Zero Hunger.
“Such initiatives, like this one launched through a partnership, are crucial in addressing the challenges of solid waste management,” said Dr. Menani Jangu, the Director of Environment Research and Management at the National Environmental Research Management Council (NEMC).
Meanwhile, in Kenya, the National Environmental Authority has begun implementation of the the Sustainable Waste Management Act 2022, mandating producers to take full accountability for the entire life cycle of waste.
This responsibility can either be managed directly by the producers or delegated to producer responsibility organizations (PROs).
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