KEPSA represented by Mr.  John Kabue, CEO BESIC Group and Ms. Faith Ngige, KEPSA Environment Water and Natural Resources Board, participated in the official launch of Packaging Producer Responsibility Organization on 26^th May 2023 that took place at a Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya. The Kenya PET Recycling Company Limited, “PETCO’’ Kenya was the first voluntary organization in Kenya that started operating in the year 2018 in Kenya. PETCO was an implementing partner of the Partnering for Green Growth and Global Goals - P4G - partnership on New Plastics Economy in Kenya that aimed to catalyze a circular economy for the PET bottles in Kenya.  

Mr. Johh Kabuye, while delivering the CEO’s remarks, said that,” Packaging plays a crucial role in our modern society, ensuring the safe transportation and preservation of products. It allows us to enjoy convenience and protection while promoting efficient distribution and reducing food waste. However, we cannot overlook the environmental challenges associated with packaging, particularly plastic packaging, which has become a global concern. KEPSA is pleased to have worked with Kenya PET Company- PETCO as the first voluntary Producer Responsibility Organization under the P4G Partnership for New Plastics Economy with the pilot area being Nyayo Embakasi Estate. We indeed have realized major transformation in effecting segregation at source and demonstrating the role of PROS in a circular economy by providing material flow linkage of PROs to citizens, waste service providers and recyclers.”   The insights received from the Voluntary PRO-PETCO Kenya largely informed the development of the situation analysis of PROs in Kenyan Context and the need for mandatory EPR regulations in the country.

KEPSA Environment Water and Natural Resources Sector Board during the Ministerial Stakeholder Forums (MSF) in 2019 agreed on the need to develop regulations for effecting mandatory Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in the country. Subsequently KEPSA, provided technical support in the development of both the Sustainable Waste Management act 2022 which anchors mandatory EPR in section 13 and the development of EPR regulations that establishes Producers Responsibility Organization’s (PROS’s) and assigns products that fall under mandatory EPR in five categories. The launch was officiated by Cabinet Secretary Hon. Soipan Tuya represented by Mr. Rodney Omari who shared on power of public private partnerships in effecting transformation especially for systemic challenges like waste management in the country.

The PAKPRO Chairman Dr. Richard Kimani Rugendo highlighted the journey towards the formation of PAKPRO and indicated that the ban of single use plastics in Kenya in 2017 stirred the need to find lasting solutions to the then targeted category of PET bottles. The industry got together and started to look for a solution which led to benchmarking of best practice with other countries. Borrowing from South Africa, PETCO Kenya was born. In the course of implementing the focus on PET bottles, since the waste is unsegregated in Kenya and plastics and other packaging are mixed up, there has been a need to have a much more inclusive producer responsibility organization leading to the formation of PAKPRO.  The move to rebrand PETCO is as a result of the Sustainable Waste Management Act 2022 and the draft Extended Producer Responsibility Regulations Draft where the producer responsibility organizations are required to manage all non-hazardous packaging under one category.

Mr. Paul Mbole, The Kenya National P4G consultant, appreciated the value of partnerships’ especially in the transition to green economy and the success of the partnership for new plastics economy Kenya in supporting Kenya to embrace a zero-waste approach, changing the narrative from waste recycling to waste transformation through extended producer responsibility. The implementation of the circular economy also made possible by knowledge exchange program through the DANIDA training program. PETCO Kenya staff have also attended the training programs that have supported the formulation of the road map for EPR in Kenya.

The transition from PETCO to PAKPRO®, marked a proactive step towards establishing a mandatory EPR for category one products and packaging and committing to offer a much comprehensive and sustainable approach to packaging waste management. 

The transition demonstrated the commitment of the industry to take responsibility for the entire lifecycle of packaging materials. It is desired that PAKPRO® will contribute to a cleaner environment, reducing plastic pollution, and creating a circular economy. Moreover, it will foster innovation and drive the growth of sustainable packaging solutions, opening up new markets and business prospects.

Other KEPSA leaders present at the launch included; KEPSA SME Sector Board Chair, Ms. Mary Ngechu, Vice Chair Trade and Industry Sector Board, Ms Susan Maingi, Vice Chair Devolution Sector Board, Ms Wambui Mbarire, Kenya Association of Manufactures’ Policy and Regulatory Affairs leads, Ms Miriam Bomett and Ms Georgina Wachuka.