Kenya to lead Africa’s plastic waste revolution with responsible sourcing initiative

KENYA – Kenya has been selected as one of two African nations to pioneer a global initiative tackling plastic pollution, marking a major boost in the country’s fight against waste.

The Circulate Initiative, a global non-profit focused on advancing the circular economy, has chosen Kenya to launch its Responsible Sourcing Initiative (RSI), in partnership with Nairobi-based recycler Mr Green Africa.

The program, backed by funding from The Coca-Cola Foundation and the IKEA Foundation, aims to integrate responsible sourcing practices throughout the plastics recycling value chain, with a particular focus on safeguarding the rights and livelihoods of informal waste workers.

Globally, Kenya becomes the fourth implementation market for RSI, following India, Indonesia, and Vietnam. Ethiopia will follow as the second African country to roll out the program next year.

The launch comes on the heels of the Africa Climate Summit in Addis Ababa, where leaders called for scalable and justice-centered solutions to climate challenges.

Kenya generates close to one million tonnes of plastic waste annually, yet only 27% is collected and just 8% recycled, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Waste pickers play a vital role in bridging this gap.

The Kenya National Waste Pickers Welfare Association counts 46,000 members, though the total number is believed to be far higher.

“Our launch in Africa is a significant milestone,” said Annerieke Douma, Senior Director of Programs at The Circulate Initiative.

“The Kenyan project is the first step towards scaling responsible sourcing practices across Africa, aimed at protecting workers who are at the frontlines of the fight against plastic pollution.”

The initiative is built on a harmonized framework designed in 2024 to ensure plastic waste supply chains not only advance recycling but also safeguard worker rights.

Baseline assessments in Kenya revealed ongoing challenges, including low pay, unsafe working conditions, and lack of access to social protections.

Mr Green Africa CEO Keiran Smith said their technology-driven collection model aligns well with RSI’s objectives, “By joining the Responsible Sourcing Initiative, we can expand our network and increase the supply of responsibly sourced recycled plastic in Africa, whilst improving livelihoods and conditions for waste workers.”

The Circulate Initiative will also launch the Responsible Sourcing Network Africa (RSNA) to bring together brands, recyclers, investors, and worker associations across seven countries.

The global program aims to improve the livelihoods of 50,000 informal waste workers and deliver 100,000 tonnes of responsibly sourced recycled plastic.

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