MOMBASA, Kenya – As Kenya joined the globe this week in marking World Environment Day, the move ignited the country’s resolve to ban single-use plastic bags eight years ago.
World Environment Day is celebrated annually on 5 June and encourages awareness and action for the protection of the environment. It is supported by many non-governmental organisations, businesses, and government entities and represents the primary United Nations outreach day supporting the environment.
From supporting over 2,500 waste collectors to launching circular economy hubs and pushing for policy reforms, WWF-Kenya and partners are proving that plastic waste can create jobs, restore dignity, and protect nature.
This year’s World Environment Day, WWF-Kenya made it clear that we should stop plastic pollution at its root, not just clean it up.
“But plastic pollution does not stop at our borders. It’s a global crisis. And it’s growing. Plastic is everywhere, in rivers, oceans, and even in the food we eat. At WWF, together with partners, we are fighting plastic pollution at the local, regional, and global levels. Together, we are rethinking how we reduce, reuse, and innovatively redesign plastic,” WWF-Kenya said in a statement.
According to WWF-Kenya, a locally registered non-governmental conservation organisation and an affiliate of World-Wide Fund for Nature International (WWF), there is a need to eliminate what we don’t need and make sure the rest stays in a circular system.
In Kenya, WWF is driving a circular economy. With support from DANIDA Market Development Partnership, the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad), the European Investment Bank, and the County governments of Kwale, Kilifi, and Mombasa.
“We have helped turn more than 37,000 tonnes of plastic waste into jobs, income, and hope. At the heart of this change is the Pwani Circular Economy Association. A grassroots association with over 2,500 plastic waste collectors, 700 now formally trained and legally registered entrepreneurs. Susan Omingo, their leader, is helping reshape livelihoods from the ground up.”
In Mombasa, 57 plastic sorting stations and 13 buy-pack centres are creating a new economy. Recyclers like Mr. Green and Jill Industries are proving that waste can become wealth.
What WWF-Kenya is doing to fight against plastic pollution
These products, WWF-Kenya says, aren’t just recycled; they are profitable.
“Proof that sustainability is smart business. At the industry level, we are pushing for change through policy influence,” the statement further reads.
In partnership with the Kenya Plastics Pact, WWF-Kenya launched the Let’s Be Clear Innovation Challenge, an initiative towards the adoption of Extended Producer Responsibility, calling on manufacturers to design 100% recyclable packaging.
“But real change starts at home. With the European Investment Bank’s Support, WWF-Kenya proved that the Circular Economy Journey begins with source segregation.”
800 households in Mvita and Likoni sub-counties in Mombasa received colour-coded bins to sort waste right at the source. This is the future, and it’s ready to scale to all 47 counties.
Why does everyone have a role to play in the fight against plastic pollution
During this year’s World Environment Day, WWF-Kenya insisted that everyone has a role to play.
- At home, dispose of your plastic waste responsibly.
- Waste service providers: Transport and treat collected waste separately.
- Manufacturers, take responsibility for your post-consumer waste by forming or joining.
- Producer responsibility organisations, alternatively, you can take other forms of take-back schemes as per the Sustainable Waste Management Act, 2022.
- County governments, enforce the Sustainable Management Act, 2022, fully and effectively.
- Nations, let’s continue pushing for a strong, legally binding Global Plastics Treaty.
“We can stop plastic pollution at its roots, not just at the cleanup level. From waste to wealth, Kenya is showing the way. Now, the world must follow. Together, let’s beat plastic pollution before it beats us,” WWF-Kenya maintained.
