HACO partners with Mr. Green to scale PCR collection take-back scheme in Kenya

KENYA – Consumer goods manufacturer HACO Industries Kenya Ltd has announced a strategic partnership with Mr. Green Trading Africa Kenya Ltd to strengthen post-consumer recyclate (PCR) collection and roll out a structured take-back scheme aligned with Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) principles.

The collaboration is positioned as a key milestone in HACO’s circular economy roadmap, aimed at closing the loop on plastic packaging while reinforcing Kenya’s recycling ecosystem and supporting community-based waste collectors.

Under Kenya’s Sustainable Waste Management Act and evolving EPR regulations, producers are required to take responsibility for the lifecycle of their packaging.

Industry estimates indicate that Kenya generates over 500,000 tonnes of plastic waste annually, yet less than 15% is formally recycled.

By expanding structured collection channels and boosting PCR recovery, HACO’s initiative could contribute to narrowing that gap while improving traceability and compliance.

“We are proud to announce our partnership with Mr. Green Trading Africa Kenya Ltd. to advance post-consumer recyclate (PCR) collection and implement a take-back scheme aligned with Extended Producer Responsibility principles,” the company said in a statement.

The program will focus on aggregating post-consumer plastic packaging, increasing feedstock supply for recyclers, and enabling the reintroduction of PCR into manufacturing streams.

Beyond environmental gains, the initiative is expected to create income opportunities for waste pickers and micro-collectors, a critical but often informal segment of Kenya’s recycling value chain.

“This collaboration marks a significant step in HACO’s circular economy journey, helping close the loop on plastic packaging while strengthening Kenya’s recycling ecosystem and supporting community livelihoods,” the company added.

The move reflects a broader shift among East African FMCG players toward compliance-driven sustainability strategies.

Several regional producers have recently partnered with Producer Responsibility Organizations (PROs) and recyclers to meet EPR targets, while investing in packaging redesign to improve recyclability and incorporate higher PCR content.

Mr. Green Trading Africa, which operates collection and recycling networks in Kenya, is expected to provide aggregation, sorting and processing expertise, enhancing material quality and supply consistency for downstream converters.

“At HACO, sustainability is embedded in how we manufacture, partner, and grow. Through strategic collaborations like this, we are turning environmental responsibility into measurable action,” the company stated.

As regulatory enforcement tightens and consumer scrutiny increases, structured take-back systems and PCR integration are becoming central to competitive positioning in Kenya’s fast-moving consumer goods sector, signaling a transition from voluntary sustainability pledges to operational accountability.

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