Deal to rid Kenya of poorly disposed plastic bottles signed

The Kenya Association of Manufactures (KAM) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with multiple stakeholders for proper management of plastic waste.

The MoU was signed between KAM and The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), The Kenya Association of Waste Recyclers and Dandora Hip Hop City (a youth empowerment group). It is aimed at encouraging recycling and re-using of plastic bottles across the country.

As part of the agreement, KAM will establish and implement the agreed take back and extended producer responsibility schemes for the plastics.

KAM will also undertake clean-up activities and awareness creation in partnership with county governments and relevant government agencies.

The initiative has been supported by the Ministry of Environment and the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA)

Dr. Ayub Macharia, the Chairman of the National PET Management Committee said that proper use of disposed plastics could boost manufacturing in the country.

“Recycling represents a systemic shift that builds long-term resilience, generates business and economic opportunities and provides environmental and societal benefits,” said Dr. Macharia.

Speaking during the MoU signing, KAM Vice Chairperson Mr. Mucai Kunyiha said, “We are working with different stakeholders to help achieve policy changes that support a truly circular economy and a more holistic view of material use, collection, and reuse of plastic bottles.”

Mr. Kunyiha’s sentiments were echoed by KAM acting CEO Tobias Alando who noted that waste management is a collective role, and that the private sector should complement the government’s efforts to ensure that the environment is clean.

During the meeting, it was also revealed that KAM targets to recycle up to 20% of plastic bottles disposed poorly in 2018 and has also set itself a target of 70% by 2030.

To achieve this goal, KAM will involve various stakeholders including waste collectors, recyclers, the Ministry of Environment and NEMA. Currently, there over 150 registered waste recyclers.

As part of scaling the campaign KAM also signed a partnership with Dandora Hip Hop City who will be ambassadors of the project.