Packaging Organisation Teams Up With Scouts To Boost Recycling In Kenyan Schools

Packaging Producer Responsibility Organisation (PAKPRO) and the Kenya Scouts Association (KSA) have inked a deal to advance environmental education, waste segregation and packaging recovery among young people and in schools across Kenya.

Move marks the official launch of TUWEZESHE program – a PAKPRO backed environmental education and awareness programme that will equip young people with the knowledge, skills and practical tools they require to make sustainable waste management part of everyday life.

PAKPRO and KSA will leverage the scouts’ extensive youth network to promote
environmental stewardship in schools and communities, while creating practical opportunities for learners to participate in waste segregation, recycling and packaging recovery.

“Tuwezeshe is about training young minds early to shift behaviour change positively within society around waste management,” said PAKPRO Chief Executive Officer, Joyce Gachugi-Waweru. “This partnership is important for us as it gives us access to more than the 200,000 schools within Kenya Scouts Association.”

We know we have a disposal culture in as our culture is skewed in Kenya. We recognize the
power of the KSA team to shift culture, power to create a mindset in society that values waste.

Ms. Waweru added that people tend to think young people are consumers and not net contributors, yet in the next 20 years they
will have what it takes in creating a mindset in society that values waste.

“We know that the habits and values we develop early in life can stay with us for years. Hence, a culture shift from the current irresponsible nature we experience today in
the larger society will be important,” she said.

The partnership will see the establishment of dedicated segregated collection points for recyclable materials. PAKPRO will support the placement of a total of 600 recycling bins in 150 schools nationally, providing learners and school communities with accessible infrastructure to separate and recover packaging materials. For learners, this is expected to create a direct connection between what they learn about the environment and what they do on a day to day.

Tuwezeshe program initiative will also undertake a quarterly take-back program focused on paper and cartons, materials commonly generated through day-to-day school activities, including used exercise books, examination papers and packaging.

Rather than treating recycling as a one-off activity, the programme seeks to integrate waste segregation into everyday school life.

Teachers and school administrators often store these materials, thereby preventing optimized use of their space. This program, seeks to evacuate these readily recycled materials before they are channelled back into productive use.

Scouts association will play an important role in mobilising young people and supporting environmental activities within schools and communities.

Victor Radido, who is the Chief Commissioner, KSA said Scouting has always been about equipping young people with values, skills and confidence to make a positive contribution to society.

“Through this partnership with PAKPRO, we are giving our young people an opportunity to take practical action on an issue that affects their schools, homes and communities,” said Radido.

The partnership comes at a time when Kenya is strengthening its approach to sustainable waste management and implementing the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Regulations, 2024.

EPR establishes responsibility for packaging beyond the point of sale, lasting impact depends on consumers and communities understanding how to properly separate, handle and recover packaging.

“By giving young people access to opportunities to participate in waste recovery, separation of waste, we help them understand the value of the materials they use every day,” Mr. Moses Danda, National Executive Commissioner, Kenya Scouts Association, said.