PAKPRO launches Clean Oceans Project Identification and Preparation to tackle waste management challenges

KENYA – The Packaging Producer Responsibility Organization Limited (PAKPRO) and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) have jointly launched the Clean Oceans Project Identification and Preparation (COPIP) Project in the coastal region of Kenya.

This initiative is geared towards enhancing waste recovery, improving livelihoods, and promoting awareness about waste source separation through the implementation of the separate bin model.

To facilitate the project’s objectives, four waste collection companies, including Dessmi Ltd, Virgin Waste, Final Waste, and Go Green, will be actively involved.

Additionally, two Community-Based Organizations (CBOs), Muungano CBO and Likoni Waste Cooperative, will play integral roles in the project’s execution.

A significant milestone of the COPIP Project is the distribution of three separate segregation bins to 800 households, serving as a pivotal step towards implementing full-scale waste segregation in the county.

To streamline data collection on segregated materials, collectors will utilize the Taka Connect App, developed by the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) and funded by the European Investment Bank (EIB) through COPIP.

During the project launch event, PAKPRO CEO Joyce Gachugi – Waweru expressed her excitement, emphasizing the organization’s commitment to supporting this initiative.

She highlighted their provision of 16,000 bins to complement existing waste management efforts, emphasizing the significance of community involvement and education in fostering responsible waste management practices.

This initiative aligns with the objectives of #JoinTheCulture, an initiative aimed at promoting environmental stewardship and sustainable practices within the community.

The COPIP Project is set to commence on April 8, 2024, marking a crucial step towards addressing waste management challenges and promoting environmental sustainability in the coastal region of Kenya.

Last September, PAKPRO teamed up with Tetra Pak to launch beverage carton recovery initiative in the country.

This effort will also boost the economic opportunities for both collectors and aggregators within the waste recovery business of the country.

Speaking at the event, Tetra Pak East Africa managing director Jonathan Kinisu said: “In alignment with EPR [extended producer responsibility] regulations and the Waste Management Act [of Kenya], we are taking a lead role in supporting the collection and recycling value chain.

“We are working closely with our recyclers and together with PAKPRO to create consumer awareness and increase recycling volume.”

For all the latest packaging and printing industry news from Africa and the World, subscribe to our NEWSLETTER, follow us on LinkedIn and subscribe to our YouTube channel.