Circular Economy

The current linear economic model, characterized by the take-make-waste approach, poses significant challenges to sustainability, leading to environmental degradation and resource depletion. SIB-K advocates for a shift to a Circular Economy, which emphasizes renewable energy, resource regeneration, and waste reduction. This model supports sustainable business practices, promotes recycling, and aims to create a resilient system benefiting both people and the planet. The linear economy’s negative impact is exemplified by plastic waste, with a vast majority ending up in landfills or the environment. In Kenya, the Circular Economy is seen as a means to address waste, create jobs, and support the manufacturing sector by reusing and repurposing materials.

The Challenge of the Linear Economic Model

The biggest challenge to sustainability lies in the current linear–take, make, waste economic model and an outdated energy system. This cradle-to-grave model is fixed on an industrial mindset where producers assume the resources they use are unlimited and, therefore, are never restored. In this case, short-term profits are placed at the top of the pyramid at the expense of people and the planet. Ultimately, contaminated air and water become just some of the inevitable outcomes of the lopsided pressure applied to the ecosystem.

The Circular Economy Solution

For this reason, SIB-K focuses on shifting from this model to a more Circular Economy that brings together all different and urgent topics to drive towards a low-carbon economy while meeting Sustainable Development Goals. A circular economy is a system built on renewable energy and regenerative models, and it keeps resources in use over and over without putting anything to waste.

We support business and societal models, material life-span expansion, proper waste management practices, boost recycling opportunities, incubate innovative and sustainable business solutions, help businesses redesign models and create regenerative approaches, communicate to raise awareness, drive behavioral change, and educate positively. The advocacy for a circular model is based on its emphasis on redefining growth, focusing not only on profits but also on resilient and thriving systems with a positive impact on the planet and people.

The Problem of Plastic Waste

One of the gravest impacts of the linear economy has been the irresponsible disposal of plastics, especially single-use, on the environment. Unsightly landfills and litter in parks and even beaches continuously choke our environment. We have published a trend report on single-use plastics, which indicates that 79% of plastic waste produced globally now sits in landfills, dumps, or the environment. In comparison, 12% has been incinerated, and only 9% has been recycled globally. Published data shows that only 8% of plastic is recycled in Kenya (IUCN, 2021).

Circular Economy Practices in Kenya

In a Circular Economy, waste is considered part of the system (a resource or material that should stay or become an input repeatedly). It is reintroduced into the cycle to regenerate other products. This reduces the amount of materials (waste) disposed into the environment and creates new value as input for the next cycle. One of Kenya’s Big Four agendas is manufacturing. We also look at how to make one industry’s by-product into another industry’s raw material. In a circular economy, companies prioritize reusing, repairing, and re-manufacturing products designed to keep resources in use for as long as possible. We believe this is a direct way to create more jobs at a time when the rate of unemployment, especially among the youth, continues to rise.

Projects

Wear The Green Future

The “Wear the Green Future” project is a flagship initiative funded by Nationale Postcode Loterij (NPL) led by Edukans Kenya, and co-implemented by Sprout Africa, and SIB-Kenya. The project is dedicated to equipping young people with the essential skills for sustainable and circular practices within the textile, apparel and fashion industry. Through training, mentoring, and the establishment of robust […]

NoSUP (Singe Use Plastics) USe Campaign

No SUP Use Campaign (No Single Use Plastics Use) Eliminating Problematic & Unnecessary Single‑Use Plastics in Kenya’s Hospitality & Tourism Sector Lead: Kenya Plastics Pact (KPP) Strategic Partners: WWF Kenya, KEBS, NEMA, Sustainable Inclusive Business – KEPSA (SIB‑K) Launched: 29 October 2025 Official Public Unveiling: 10th Annual Circular Economy Conference – 19–20 November 2025 a [...]

KEPSA Underscores Circular Economy as Climate Action Imperative at World Environment

KEPSA Underscores Circular Economy as Climate Action Imperative at World Environment Day Pre-Observation May 30, 2025, Nairobi, Kenya – The Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA), through its Sustainable Inclusive Business (SIB Kenya) initiative, actively participated in a high-level panel discussion today marking an early observance of World Environment Day 2025. Held at the Kenya [...]

See all Circular Economy Projects

Reports & Insights

2025: 10th Annual Circular Economy Conference & Waste Festival – Report

Nairobi, Kenya – November 19 & 20th, 2025; The 10th Annual Circular Economy Conference and No Waste Festival was held in Nairobi Street Kitchen, Westlands, marking a decade of accelerating Kenya’s transition to a regenerative circular economy. Co-hosted by Sustainable Inclusive Business Kenya (SIB-K), in partnership with the Kenya Plastics Pact (KPP), the Ministry of […]

Kenya’s Private Sector: Transitioning to a Circular Economy

This policy brief, authored by the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA), examines Kenya's private sector transition toward a circular economy and its associated challenges. The document outlines key findings from a comprehensive study, including an assessment of existing policy frameworks, current levels of awareness among businesses regarding circular economy principles, and factors that incentivize or [...]

A HIGHLIGHT OF BEST PRACTICES IN CIRCULAR ECONOMY

A Highlight of The Best Practices In Circular Economy A comprehensive overview of circular economy best practices in Kenya, highlighting innovative initiatives across multiple sectors. The document showcases organizations and businesses driving sustainability through strategic approaches in plastics management, fashion, agriculture, and waste reduction. {{ vc_btn:title=Download+Copy+Here&color=green&size=lg&align=center&link=url%3Ahttps%253A%252F%252Fsustainableinclusivebusiness.org%252Fwp-content%252Fuploads%252F2025%252F03%252FA-Highlight-of-The-Best-Practices-In-Circular-Economy-Published.pdf%7Ctitle%3AA%2520HIGHLIGHT%2520OF%2520BEST%2520PRACTICES%2520IN%2520CIRCULAR%2520ECONOMY%7C%7C }}

PRACTICALLY TRANSLATING CIRCULARITY PRINCIPLES ACROSS SECTORS – SIB MAGAZINE

PRACTICALLY TRANSLATING CIRCULARITY PRINCIPLES ACROSS SECTORS - SIB MAGAZINE This magazine issue from Sustainable Inclusive Business (SIB) Kenya focuses on practically applying circularity principles across sectors in Africa. It highlights the importance of transitioning from a linear "take-make-dispose" model to a circular economy that promotes sustainability and reduces waste. The publication explores topics such as [...]

TRENDREPORT: MAINSTREAMING CIRCULAR APPROACHES IN TEXTILE & FASHION SECTOR IN KENYA

Kenya's Textile and Apparel Industry: Challenges and Opportunities The fashion and textile value chain is extensive, encompassing numerous activities, processes, and stages, each with its own technical and economic profile. It is considered one of the most diverse value chains. The chain includes: Fiber production through agriculture and farming (natural fibers) or extraction (synthetic fibers) [...]

TNO 2022 P10846_Kenya Project Report WP3 and 4_vs1

TNO 2022 P10846_Kenya Project Report WP3 and 4_vs1 This sub-report presents the results for activity 3 and 4. The aim of these activities is to identify practices for value retention processes (circular processes) and for system structures from other countries. These best practices give input to give recommendations for handling LHHA’s in Kenya. The value [...]

SUP Webinar Report

SUP Webinar Report On 26th May 2020, Sustainable Inclusive Business (SIB-Kenya) in partnership with the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) held the Single Use Plastics webinar, which aimed to prepare players in the tourism, hospitality and MICE industries for the single-use plastic ban that would take effect of June 5th, and how to tackle the [...]

SIB Report on Setting Up a Sustainable Business Model for EPR

SIB Report on Setting Up a Sustainable Business Model for EPR Kenya as a country has made major strides in dealing with careless disposal practice that has led to adverse effects on the environment. The Ministry of Environment employed a lot of effort in tackling plastic in collaboration with the private sector. Kenya through the [...]

Kenya Project Report WP2-final

Kenya Project Report WP2-final The economic development of Kenya will undoubtedly lead to an increase in the ‘consumption’ of electric and electronic equipment (EEE) (among which fall the large household appliances LHHA) and consequently also to a rise in WEEE, waste from EEE. But the absolute level of LHHAs in society and therefore also the [...]

Extended Producer Responsibility Regulations 2022 Brief

Extended Producer Responsibility Regulations 2022 Brief The Ministry of Environment and Forestry has finished the development of the Extended Producer Responsibility Regulations 2022. For the EPR regulations 2022, a producer is defined as “an entity that introduces goods, products and packaging into the country using authorized means by manufacturing, importing, distributing, converting, filling, re-filling, repacking [...]