KCIC Consulting Ltd (KCL) in partnership with Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) on Wednesday, conducted training of waste service providers (recyclers and collectors) with the main objective of guiding them on how to achieve cost-efficient Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) waste collection and recycling.
The training that attracted over 50 SMEs is set to incentivize waste collectors and recyclers on the importance of embracing the recently developed sustainable waste management policy and the bill that seeks to transform the management of waste from a linear to a circular economy in Kenya.
“Plastic wastes pose a major challenge to solid waste management systems in the country. To ease the transition to a circular economy, collectors and recyclers must play a significant role in establishing factors that can trigger and sustain such progress,” Prabhakar Vanam the CEO of KCL said.
Although Kenya is among the few countries in Africa that have taken positive steps towards the management of plastic pollution, the sustainable waste management policy is the only way the country will achieve its vision of the Zero Waste Principle.
With over four million solid waste generated every year and predicted to double in 2030, the general public needs to be trained on how to articulate policy strategies and identify major gaps in implementation mechanisms.
“This training has come at the right time when our country is in dire need of a strategy that seeks to achieve sustainable plastic waste management practices. We hope that through this training, we will identify ways to improve our existing practices,” Brian, a trainee at the event said.
Polyethylene Terephthalate which is currently employed in different applications such as consumer goods, food packaging, and beverage packaging, is recognized globally as a safe non-toxic, flexible material that is entirely recyclable and has the potential of shaping the future profitability of new products.
It is, therefore, possible for recyclers and collectors to venture into business models that will generate sustainable venues; they can incorporate best practices of waste management at the collection and recycling stage in the PET value chain.
After the training, collectors and recyclers will be expected to fully understand the circular economy and the sustainable waste management policy of Kenya; clearly understand the circular approach for Sustainable Waste Management, and have a good understanding of the best practices of waste management they can incorporate in their ventures.
Kenya Climate Innovation Centre(KCIC) also in partnership with What Design Can Do is seeking innovative startups, enterprises and companies to join the #NoWasteChallenge and submit innovative solutions that seeks to sensitize on how we can rethink our production and consumption cycle for a sustainable world.
For more information visit: https://www.kenyacic.org/
