Plastic waste management and recycling in Mombasa, Kenya: A scoping study of the value chain and its institutional, policy and regulatory frameworks

Abstract

Plastic waste management and recycling activities have the potential to reduce the environmental impacts of plastic production and to tap the economic value of would-be waste materials through circular economy approaches. This report focuses on the framework for establishing effective practices in Mombasa, Kenya, with policymaking, institutional support and regulations, and with implications for similar contexts elsewhere.

A review of plastic waste circular actions in seven developing countries to achieve sustainable development goals

“…The executive arm is in charge of the management and administrative matters. It is composed of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, which includes the National Environment Management Authority and the National Environmental Complaints Committee (Njoroge and Ddiba, 2022). The county government is responsible to implement national SWM policies at the county level (Haregu et al, 2017).…”

“…In Kenya, several local and international NGOs have supported plastic waste collection initiatives through grants and as part of environmental conservation and poverty alleviation programmes. Notably, NGOs that have been traditionally involved in species and ecosystem conservation are now engaging in plastic waste advocacy and recycling interventions, geared towards the reduction of marine pollution (Njoroge and Ddiba, 2022). Nowadays, there is not a formal selective collection system established in Kenya.…”

“…As an illustrative example, the FlipFlopi project creates recycled plastic boats from single-use plastics discarded products. The county is developing a framework with a specific call for action on awareness issues, infrastructure for solid waste collection and promotion of recycling capacity (with key partners, including WWF and 'Hand in Hand') (Njoroge and Ddiba, 2022). At the national level, the government has provided a tax exemption on the importation of recycling machines.…”