By Emmanuel Masinde
Kenya is making significant strides towards a sustainable future as the third edition of the Loop Forum Kenya kicks off today. This event is dedicated to advancing circular economy solutions, minimizing waste generation, and enhancing resource efficiency.
Themed ‘Driving Kenya’s Transition to a Circular Economy through Collaboration, Innovation, and Sustainability,’ the two-day forum brings together key stakeholders, including government representatives, private sector leaders, investors, development partners, and research institutions. The objective is to foster collaboration, drive investment, and facilitate knowledge exchange to accelerate the adoption of circular economy principles.
Present at the forum, National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) Compliance Director, David Ongare, noted that the dialogue on circular economy is paramount. He added that, “We believe that together, we have the potential to create long lasting change. NEMA and the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry have introduced several regulatory instruments, such as the National Waste Policy, EPR regulations, and plastics regulations, among others, to support initiatives like this one. Discussions on circularity are therefore crucial for advancing our shared goals.”
KAM recognizes that accelerating the transition to a circular economy is one of the surest ways of securing the future of our planet for generations to come.
“As KAM, we are focusing on sustainability because this is our world, and we must protect it through sustainable processes. Through the Centre for Green Growth and Climate Change, KAM offers programmes and initiatives to drive the circular economy. This includes the circular economy resource mapping program, that entails changing design, management, and/or practices to reduce waste, the negative impacts on the environment, strengthening re-generative processes and creating industrial symbiosis loops in industrial processes,” noted KAM Chief Executive, Tobias Alando.
As KAM, we have also developed practical, creative, and easily applicable avenues to drive Kenya's circular economy. Our initiatives include the partnership with PAKPRO, to reduce waste in the environment, and the formation of Kenya Extended Producer Responsibility Organization (KEPRO). KEPRO’s mandate is to support manufacturers' collective efforts to address plastic waste management and act as a Producer Responsibility Organization to engage stakeholders in the packaging and/or manufactured goods value chain.
PAKPRO CEO, Joyce Gachugi, noted that circular economy offers industries a myriad of opportunities.
“Transitioning to a circular economy is not a constraint but an opportunity to position businesses for long-term success while safeguarding the environment. By complying with Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations, we are not merely meeting legal requirements; we are actively shaping a future where waste becomes a valuable resource rather than a burden,” she added.
Through the Loop Forum, we continue to build on Kenya’s commitment to a circular transition. As part of the forum’s activities, tomorrow (26th February 2025) will feature the Kenya Fashion and Design Week, a platform showcasing sustainable and circular fashion innovations. The event will highlight eco-friendly designs, upcycled materials, and circular business models shaping the future of Kenya’s fashion industry.
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