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Thursday, 15th August 2024, Nairobi: Packaging Producer Responsibility Organization (PAKPRO) has today launched the Biz na Taka Mtaani program, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at creating collection hubs for recyclable materials that will generate job and economic opportunities for young people.
These hubs will be established in Nairobi, Kiambu, Machakos, Kajiado, and Makueni, covering the Nairobi River catchment area. The program will also feature the branding of 27 aggregator centers.
During the launch, Dr. Ayub Macharia, Director of Environmental Enforcement at the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), emphasized the ongoing challenges of waste management in major cities, particularly in the Nairobi River Catchment Area. He noted that improper waste disposal has been a significant contributor to pollution and flooding in the city.
“Manufacturers and producers must keep working closely with the government to tackle the issue of improper waste disposal. As a government, we’re ready to collaborate and lead the way in addressing waste management challenges. The waste management value chain is full of opportunities, and we must be deliberate in incentivizing them for the benefit of all.
Consumers also have a crucial role to play—we’ve shared guidelines on how to start segregating waste at home to help combat pollution and protect our ecosystems,” added Dr.Macharia.PAKPRO CEO Joyce Gachugi Waweru highlighted the importance of continued education for waste collectors on segregation to enhance recycling. She reiterated that partnering with the CBO Taka ni Pato demonstrates PAKPRO’s commitment to working with young people and CBOs to achieve a circular economy in Kenya.
“We are dedicated to offering training and technical support to the teams managing these community trading points. By partnering with local Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) and NEMA, we will lead community awareness campaigns on effective waste collection and recycling practices. This collaboration not only strives to create a clean and healthy environment where families can thrive and children can play freely but also aims to provide a sustainable source of income for collectors in the area.,” stated Ms Waweru.
PAKPRO has been at the forefront of engaging various stakeholders in the waste management value chain to address the impact of post-consumer waste in Kenya. Initially focusing on PET waste, the organization has since expanded to manage over 16 waste streams, while also conducting consumer awareness campaigns to ensure post-consumer waste is collected for recycling and other treatments.
Representing the CBO Taka ni Pato, Chairperson Ibrahim Adada noted that the role of CBOs in waste management is gaining more recognition. He emphasized that this is key to keeping the environment clean and healthy.
“We are glad to see the government and private sector taking action on waste management and their willingness to collaborate with us to enhance our ongoing operations. By making waste collection a viable source of income, we are providing opportunities for many young people in the ghetto to improve their livelihoods,” he said. Biz Na Taka Mtaani program is more than just the establishment of waste collection centers, it includes training, capacity building, apprenticeship, mentorship, and engagement with industry stakeholders to deepen understanding of packaging materials and the recycling process
Mombasa, Kenya, Thursday, 21st November 2024 – The Packaging Producer Responsibility Organization (PAKPRO) has today officially launched the EPR Sensitization
Initiative, an educational campaign aimed at equipping manufacturers, producers, traders, and importers with essential knowledge on the newly gazetted Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Regulations, 2024.
The high-level event featured insights and calls to action from key stakeholders, emphasizing the collective responsibility in waste management.
Speaking at the event, H.E. Francis Thoya, Deputy Governor of Mombasa County, reaffirmed his commitment to sustainable waste practices, noting, “This County will soon have a model structure to drive the management and implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility
(EPR). The success of EPR will not be achieved by the government alone, we need everyone to see waste as a valuable resource.”
Also at the event, David Ongare, NEMA Director of Compliance, stressed the importance of the regulations in fostering accountability and environmental sustainability. He further stated, “These regulations provide a framework for producers and importers to take responsibility for the entire lifecycle of their products. Compliance is not just a legal obligation, it’s a chance to contribute to a cleaner and healthier Kenya. We are fully committed to supporting initiatives like PAKPRO’s to ensure the success of EPR nationwide.”
The KNCCI Mombasa Chapter, represented by Director, Dr. Tayba Hatimy, added, “Our role is to bridge the gap between policy and implementation. The KNCCI Mombasa Chapter will ensure that businesses in the county are well-informed about EPR regulations through targeted seminars and engagements. We will guide businesses in integrating these requirements into their operations, ultimately transforming Mombasa into a more sustainable city.”Concluding the meeting, PAKPRO CEO Ms. Joyce Gachugi-Waweru emphasized the need for collaboration and innovation to implement EPR regulations effectively. She stated, “The EPR Sensitization Initiative is a critical milestone in aligning stakeholders with Kenya’s vision for sustainable waste management. These regulations are not just a compliance framework—they are a call to action for producers, importers, and traders to take responsibility for their environmental impact. By fostering partnerships and building awareness, we are paving the way for innovative, sustainable solutions that will drive positive change. .”
The meeting, attended by over 80 stakeholders from waste collectors, manufacturers, producers, traders, and importers, marked the first in a series of forums to be held across all 47 counties over the next six months. These forums aim to ensure widespread awareness and understanding of the EPR regulations, fostering collective action toward sustainable waste management.
Consumers are being urged to commit to responsible waste disposal to prevent environmental degradation and support the creation of green jobs.
Without significant changes in consumer behavior, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) estimates that Kenya could be generating over 500,000 metric tons of plastic waste annually by 2030, leading to a 40-60% increase in solid waste. This would mean daily waste could rise to approximately 35,000 tons if not properly managed.
At the launch of the Leta Carton Pack Ushinde Campaign by Tetra Pak, Naivas Supermarket, and the Packaging Producer Responsibility Organisation (PAKPRO, Molu Wato, Head of Waste Management and Pollution Control at the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change & Forestry, emphasized the need for a strong and clear awareness campaign to effectively tackle our solid waste burden. ‘As a country, we are transitioning from focusing solely on corporate responsibility to actively involving citizens in the fight against waste pollution. It is our collective duty to educate the public, as they are the most significant drivers of change in this agenda. This initiative marks an important step in encouraging greater responsibility among the public. Through the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policy, producers are held accountable, and with citizen support, we can achieve even greater impact. The Ministry is in the final stages of the EPR regulations process, marking a crucial milestone for our country, ‘added Mr Wato.
Additionally, National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) Enforcement Officer, Grace Ndanu Sila highlighted, ‘Empowering consumers to practice responsible waste disposal while incentivizing their active participation is a powerful step toward fostering a culture of accountability and community engagement. This initiative not only reflects producers meeting their legal obligations but also highlights their crucial role in driving the circular economy forward.’
The Leta Carton Pack Ushinde Campaign is a consumer-focused initiative aimed at promoting better waste management practices across Kenya. The campaign seeks to educate the public on the importance of properly disposing of used beverage cartons, particularly Tetra Pak cartons, to support more sustainable waste management. By engaging directly with consumers, the campaign will provide clear guidance on how to dispose of these cartons correctly and why this is crucial for the environment.Additionally, it will highlight the exciting outcomes of recycling these materials, showing how used beverage cartons can be transformed into valuable products like furniture.
Jonathan Kinisu, Managing Director of Tetra Pak East Africa, reaffirmed the company’s dedication, saying, ‘In the spirit of the extended producer responsibility, shared across the value chain, Tetra Pak has been driving recycling of beverage cartons over the past decades, and we are committed to playing our part with concrete actions. Globally We are investing €100 million per year over the next 5 to 10 years to design packaging with a simplified material structure and increased paper content to make them even more appealing to recyclers, due to expanded amount of recoverable paper fibres. Locally we are working with our stakeholders to encourage awareness activities in waste collection and recycling.’
PAKPRO CEO, Joyce Gachugi Waweru, expressed optimism about the growing collaboration between manufacturers, producers, and retailers. ‘I am thrilled to see the industry come together with a shared focus on educating consumers about post-consumer waste management. This collaboration shows a strong willingness to work together with the government to change cultural misconceptions about waste and its value. This campaign is just the beginning of PAKPRO’s ongoing commitment to consumer awareness, helping us fulfill our mission of improving life for all Kenyans,’ concluded Ms Waweru.
The Leta Carton Pack Ushinde initiative will be active for three months in seven Naivas stores located at Greenspan Mall, Waterfront Karen, Kingara Greens, Juja City Mall, Ciata City Mall, Point Mall Buruburu, and Capital Center. During this period, consumers can return Used Beverage Cartons (Tetra Pak) and earn points redeemable for shopping vouchers.
Tetra Pak East Africa in partnership with the Packaging Producer Responsibility Organization (PAKPRO) has launched a kick-start project to recover used beverage cartons in the country.
The partnership brings together two recyclers of liquid board packaging – Ramani Warehouse Limited (Thika) and Ekotech Limited (Nairobi) where collectors and aggregators can sell recovered used beverage cartons.
The Project targets to recover 1,500 metric tonnes of used beverage cartons which accounts for 30% of the produced liquid board packaging in the country.
The kick-start project seeks to create value for post-consumer liquid board packaging that will increase the economic opportunities for collectors and aggregators in the waste recovery sector.