In a recent webinar series hosted by PAKPRO and held in collaboration with other partners, it emerged that stakeholders have significant concerns about EPR implementation in Kenya. While the transition to Extended Producer Responsibility represents a critical environmental and economic imperative, many producers and importers face operational complexities during this initial rollout.
The EPR regulations, anchored in the Sustainable Waste Management Act of 2022, represent a paradigm shift from a linear “take-make-waste” model to a circular economy. Currently, published data indicate that only 8% of plastic in Kenya is recycled, with the remainder ending up in landfills, incinerators, or the environment. EPR addresses this systemic failure by holding producers, including manufacturers, importers, and brand owners, accountable for the entire lifecycle of their products, particularly post-consumer waste management.
The Kenya Plastics Pact views EPR not merely as a regulatory requirement, but as a catalyst for innovation and systemic change. This framework is instrumental in achieving the KPP Roadmap to 2030, specifically Target 1: Eliminate problematic or unnecessary single-use packaging items through redesign, innovation, or reuse delivery models. By internalising the environmental costs of packaging, EPR incentivizes producers to rethink product design, prioritize recyclability, and invest in sustainable alternatives.
KPP acknowledges that the transition to the new EPR framework has not been without friction. The integration of import requirements into the national single window (under Kentrade) and eCitizen platforms has introduced new workflows that require adaptation.
The regulations aim to reduce plastic pollution by requiring licensing for all plastic packaging activities, enforcing clear labelling and minimum recycled content, and ensuring proper record‑keeping and traceability across the value chain. Ultimately, they seek to protect public health and the environment while supporting a transition toward sustainable, circular packaging practices.
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