Kenya’s private sector rallies behind new plastics pact to drive circular economy shift

KENYA – Kenya’s private sector has endorsed the Kenya Plastics Pact, an ambitious roadmap to 2030 aimed at phasing out problematic and unnecessary plastics as the country accelerates its transition toward a circular economy.

Problematic plastics include items that are difficult to recycle, designed for single use, or have readily available alternatives – such as PVC packaging, plastic cutlery, straws and cotton swabs with plastic stems.

These materials are major contributors to pollution, harm wildlife, and rarely enter formal recycling streams.

Under the Pact, Kenya is targeting 100% reusable or recyclable plastic packaging, 40% effective recycling, and 15% average recycled content across all plastic packaging by 2030.

The roadmap aligns with the government’s rollout of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) obligations under the Sustainable Waste Management Act 2022, which requires producers to take responsibility for the full lifecycle of their products, including post-use waste.

Speaking at the 10th Annual Circular Economy Conference and No Waste Festival in Nairobi, KEPSA CEO Carole Kariuki said the circular economy should be viewed not only as an environmental agenda but as a catalyst for innovation, manufacturing efficiency and job creation.

She highlighted progress being driven by designers repairing goods, youth-led recycling startups converting waste into industrial feedstock, farmers adopting regenerative practices, and manufacturers redesigning packaging for lower environmental impact.

“Circularity has moved from theory to practice, from pilots to programmes, from Nairobi to counties, and from waste management to full systems redesign,” Kariuki said.

As part of the push, the Kenya Plastics Pact, WWF-Kenya and other partners launched the “No Single-Use Plastics Elimination Manual,” a tool aimed at accelerating the phase-out of problematic plastics starting with the hospitality and tourism sectors.

The initiative introduces a ‘No Single Use Plastic’ logo to help businesses signal their commitment to sustainable practices, while promoting the 5Rs, Refuse, Reduce, Replace, Reuse and Refill.

Visible actions encouraged include replacing disposable cutlery, straws, polystyrene packaging, and other short-lived plastics within service environments.

Kenya banned single-use plastic bags in 2017 and extended the ban to protected areas in 2020, though such bags remain in circulation among small traders.

Officials say stronger enforcement and broader circular solutions are needed to eliminate remaining leakage.

Environment and Climate Change PS Festus Ng’eno said the government is developing a national Circular Economy Strategy during the current financial year as part of the 2023–2027 Strategic Plan.

The strategy aims to move beyond traditional waste management to transform full value chains, increase resource efficiency and attract green investment.

“This will create a new generation of clean and green jobs, offering significant opportunities for our youth and women,” Ng’eno said.

Kenya aims to generate 240,000 direct green jobs by 2030 through its transition to a circular and low-waste economy.

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