Tuesday, 22nd October—Nairobi: The Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) participated in the Annual Circular Packaging Conference 2024, which was hosted by the Kenya Extended Producer Responsibility Organization (KEPRO) in Nairobi. The event focused on the theme "Advancing Circularity: Innovating for Sustainable Packaging Solutions," highlighting the critical need for sustainable practices within the packaging industry.

The conference attracted a diverse group of stakeholders, including industry leaders, policymakers, and environmental advocates, to share innovative approaches to improving packaging sustainability. Participants engaged in insightful discussions on the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities in circular packaging, emphasizing collaborative efforts to reduce waste and promote responsible resource management.

KEPSA was represented by Dr. Jackson Koimbori, the Head of KEPSA Consult, Circular Economy, and Climate Change, and Denis Kiplagat, Senior Project Officer at Sustainable Inclusive Business Kenya (SIB-K), the knowledge center under KEPSA, who participated in different thematic discussions.

Dr. Koimbori highlighted innovative green financing solutions and the pivotal role of government incentives in advancing sustainable practices. In his remarks, he pointed out significant hurdles for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in accessing green financing solutions and called for “collaboration among stakeholders to drive impactful change.”

Denis Kiplagat addressed the vital role of developing and adopting design guidelines essential for achieving circularity, alongside other key discussions on sustainable practices, innovative packaging solutions, and effective waste management strategies. "We need collaboration with packaging designers to ensure the full life cycle of packaging and promote sustainability. SSIB-K, through the Kenya Plastics Pact, has provided the industry with practical guidelines to for instance enhance circularity in designing PET bottles and HDPE bottles and Jars, a significant step towards enabling manufacturers to assess their circular packaging practices and improve where needed,” he said, noting the importance of ensuring that packaging not only meets functional consumer needs but also aligns with environmental goals.