Kenya has made history as the first African nation to adopt a worldwide program designed to safeguard the rights and enhance the living conditions of informal waste collectors involved in the plastics recycling sector.
The project is a component of the Responsible Sourcing Initiative, a worldwide effort managed by The Circulate Initiative, a non-profit entity focused on addressing ocean plastic pollution in developing regions. Supported by financial contributions from The Coca-Cola Foundation and IKEA Foundation, the initiative has recently extended its reach to Africa, starting with Kenya, and Ethiopia is anticipated to join in 2026.
Our entry into Africa marks a key achievement for the Responsible Sourcing Initiative," said Annerieke Douma, Senior Director of Programs at The Circulate Initiative. "As the initial regional strategy, it enables us to apply insights gained from our previous efforts to the wider network in Africa, tackling human rights challenges faced by informal workers throughout the continent.
Kenya produces approximately 983,000 tons of plastic waste annually, yet only 27 percent is gathered, with just 8 percent being recycled, as reported by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The remaining waste is disposed of in landfills or unauthorized dumping areas.
The industry depends significantly on informal waste collectors, an unseen but essential group that gathers and categorizes plastic from landfills and homes. The Kenya National Waste Pickers Welfare Association reports that approximately 46,000 waste pickers are active throughout the nation, although many face dangerous environments with minimal acknowledgment or support.
Douma highlighted the significance of addressing structural issues: “The initial evaluation in Kenya pointed out the necessity of a comprehensive strategy for ethical sourcing, as waste collectors continue to experience regular discrimination and absence of official acknowledgment. Collaborating with the Kenya National Waste Pickers Welfare Association and other organizations will be crucial in amplifying their shared voice and making sure all solutions are developed by those actively involved and affected.”
The initiative is being carried out in collaboration with Mr. Green Africa, a plastics recycler based in Nairobi that already collaborates closely with informal waste collectors. The company incorporates them into its processes, with the goal of enhancing transparency, raising earnings, and improving safety measures.
Keiran Smith, Co-Founder and CEO of Mr. Green Africa, stated: “Our tech-based approach to collecting plastics aims to incorporate informal waste workers into a clear and equitable supply chain. Through participation in the Responsible Sourcing Initiative, we can broaden our connections and boost the availability of recycled plastic that is sourced responsibly across Africa, while enhancing the lives and working conditions of these individuals.”
The initiative introduces a new tool known as the Harmonized Responsible Sourcing Framework for Recycled Plastics, which was launched worldwide in 2024. It represents the first of its kind to provide comprehensive, practical guidance for applying responsible sourcing methods within the recycling supply chain.
So far, an initial evaluation has been carried out on Mr. Green Africa's activities. The report highlighted various positive practices but also pointed out critical risk areas, such as "cases of low wages, hazardous working environments, and limited access to social and financial services for certain workers in the informal waste sector."
The evaluation also revealed that "most waste collectors showed a good understanding of unions or organizations and an eagerness to work with them"—a promising sign for upcoming cooperation.
The effort arises during a period when global stakeholders are struggling with ways to ensure recycling is both efficient and morally sound.
Carlos Pagoaga, head of The Coca-Cola Foundation, stated: “Workers in the informal waste sector play a vital role in our initiatives to create a more sustainable future and decrease packaging waste. We are honored to back the Responsible Sourcing Initiative, which highlights the effectiveness of large-scale collaborative efforts designed to make a genuine difference and ensure that those involved in our recycling programs are acknowledged and supported.”
The efforts in Kenya will guide the development of a larger Responsible Sourcing Network Africa (RSNA), designed to assist comparable initiatives in Ethiopia, Egypt, Nigeria, Algeria, Djibouti, and Morocco.
As stated by The Circulate Initiative, RSNA will "bring together companies, recycling firms, informal waste worker groups, and specialists... to offer guidance on applying the Harmonized Framework and initiatives that aid and guide inclusive policy development at the national level."
Kenya has become the fourth nation globally to adopt the Responsible Sourcing Initiative, following India, Indonesia, and Vietnam.
Globally, the initiative seeks to enhance the living conditions of 50,000 informal waste workers; gain the support of over 50 brands, investors, and recyclers; and deliver 100,000 tonnes of recycled plastic obtained in a responsible manner by 2026.
As Douma stated, "The Kenyan initiative marks the initial phase of expanding ethical sourcing methods throughout Africa, with the goal of safeguarding workers who are on the front lines of combating plastic pollution."
إرسال تعليق