KAM, NEMA, NTSA and Recyclers Signs an MoU to Enhance Waste management

Kenya Association of Manufactures (KAM) with the support of the Ministry of Environment and Forest and National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) signed an MoU with the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), Kenya Association of Waste Recyclers Secretary, and Dandora Hip Hop City for PET plastic waste management.

As part of its efforts to promote effective management of PET plastic bottles, manufacturers through KAM and partners have committed to undertake measures to encourage recycling and re-use of plastic bottles across the country.

According to Dr. Ayub Macharia, Chairman of the National PET Management Committee, ‘Recycling represents a systemic shift that builds long-term resilience, generates business and economic opportunities, and provides environmental and societal benefits. In other words, plastics aren’t necessarily bad for the environment; it’s the way we dispose of them that’s the problem.’

Speaking during the MoU signing, KAM Vice Chairperson Mr. Mucai Kunyiha said that ‘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 said.

As part of the agreement, KAM will Establish and implement the agreed Take Back and Extended Producer Responsibility schemes for PET Bottles. Additionally, KAM will undertake clean-up activities and awareness creation in partnership with County Governments and other government agencies.

On his part, KAM Ag. CEO Tobias Alando noted that waste management is a collective role, and that the private sector should complement the government’s efforts to ensuring a cleaner environment.

‘We are happy to sign these partnerships and believe that this is the first and most crucial step in the journey towards effective waste management in Kenya,”’Mr. Alando noted.

KAM targets to recycle up to 20% of PET plastic bottles in 2018 with a target of  70% by 2030. This will be based on the circular economy concept that will involve various stakeholders including waste collectors, recyclers, the Ministry of Environment, and NEMA.  Currently, there over 150 registered waste recyclers.

Speaking on behalf of the recyclers, Kenya Association of Waste Recyclers Secretary General Richard Kainika emphasized on policy changes to enable effective and sustainable waste recycling.

As part of scaling the campaign KAM also signed a partnership with Dandora Hip Hop City to create sustainability champions.