KENYA – The Kenya Association of Manufactures (KAM), has launched the Kenya Extended Producer Responsibility Organization (KEPRO) to promote collaboration, seek commitment by waste value chain players and support the achievement of a circular economy.
The organization brings together players in the value chain to help increase awareness and promote sustainable capacity building in Kenya’s recycling and circular economy.
Chris Kiptoo, Principal Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forestry said in Nairobi that the establishment of KEPRO is timely since it has come at a time when the government is gearing up to implement the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Regulations.
“Kenya is among many countries that are facing challenges in both capability and capacity to recycle the high volume of waste generated. As such, we can no longer ignore the effects of irresponsible waste management. It is only through collaboration between all players in the value chain that we shall make strides towards sustainability and circular economy,” said Dr. Kiptoo.
On his part, Principal Secretary for Industrialization at the Ministry of Industrialization, Trade and Enterprise Development, Kirimi Kaberia, highlighted the government’s commitment to promoting green growth in the manufacturing sector, saying, “We shall continue to work with manufacturers, through KAM, to ensure the implementation of the 10-year green growth programme, to promote sustainable manufacturing in the country, as envisioned in the Kenya Industrial Transformation Project (KITP) 2015.”
“We can no longer ignore the effects of irresponsible waste management. It is only through collaboration between all players in the value chain that we shall make strides towards sustainability and circular economy”
Chris Kiptoo – Principal Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Kenya
Industrialists in Kenya said the launch of the KEPRO is in line with commitments made in the Kenya Plastic Action Plan, which seeks to enable a circular economy for the environmentally sustainable use and recycling of plastics in Kenya.
Priyen Tanna, chairperson, KEPRO said his organization will play a key role in spearheading the realization of a circular economy in the country through recycling waste generated from industries.
The launch of KEPRO follows the launch of a Strategic Business Plan in 2020 for the establishment of a Plastic Producer Responsibility Organization in the country.
The plan set out the direction of KAM’s priorities in the waste value chain and key action in effecting the steps toward a clean Kenya.
KAM Chair, Mucai Kunyiha reiterated the commitment of local manufacturers to adopting sustainable manufacturing in Kenya.
“As manufacturers, we must fully embed environmental and social sustainability in the heart of our operations. Most importantly, we need to collaborate with other players in the market such as government regulators, waste collectors, and recyclers, and the public for a successful transition to a circular economy,” said Kunyiha.
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