February 2017

Plastic Carrier Bag Ban

Kenya’s ban on the production, selling, and use of plastic carrier bags came into effect in August 2017. It’s considered the toughest in the world, with a penalty of up to 4 years in prison or up to 4 million in fines for breaking this law.

September 2017

Ban of use of the disposable PET bottles in Karura Forest

by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry. Other areas include the National Reserves and Game Parks, a move aimed at conserving and protecting animals and nature within this ecosystem.

October 2017

Establishment of the PET task force

A partnership between KAM, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, and the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA). The task force’s purpose is to – have both the private sector and government support each other in the management of waste PET bottles.

May 2018

Framework of Cooperation

FoC with the Private Sector (Kenya Association of Manufacturers) and National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) on PET plastic. Kenya PET Recycling Company (PETCO Kenya) was established in 2018 as a private- sector-led PRO to catalyze sustainable management of plastic waste via the “Polluters Pays Principle”. The plan predicts a plastic recovery and recycling regime that would grow by 6% annually to 30% by 2030.

2019

E-waste strategy 2019

The National E-waste Management Strategy is a five-year plan covering the period 2019/20 to 2023/24. The E-waste Strategy has five thematic areas aimed at resource mobilization for proper E-waste management, raising awareness, strengthening Kenya’s E-waste coordination structures at national and county levels, putting in place a monitoring and evaluation mechanism for E-waste management, promoting research and innovation in E-waste management and have a legal and regulatory framework for E-waste management in Kenya. This Strategy applies both to the national and county governments.

November 2019

Launch of the Kenya Plastics Action Plan (KPAP)

As a result of the FoC, KPAP was launched. It is a private sector-led initiative that aims at establishing a voluntary centre for post-consumer plastic management through an industry-led Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO).

March 2020

National Sustainable Waste Management Policy 2020

This Policy will advance Kenya towards a more sustainable and circular, green economy. It will move the country towards realization of the Zero Waste principle, whereby waste generation is minimized or prevented. It will help ensure that waste is collected, separated at the source, reused and recycled, and that the remaining waste stream is destined to a secure, sanitary landfill. If proper regulatory frameworks and incentives are in place, such a system will build long-term resilience, while generating new business and economic opportunities and providing broad environmental and social benefits to all Kenyans.

June 2020

Single-Use Plastics Ban

(Gazette Notice No.4858) Ban of use of specific Single-Use Plastics items plastic bottles, straws, and related products within the protected areas in the national parks, national reserves, conservation areas, and any other designated wildlife protected areas.

October 2020

Business Plan Model for a PRO

Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (MoEF) and Sustainable Inclusive Business under KEPSA Foundation, officially launched the Business Plan Model for a PRO, the first of its kind in the country (besides the specific PRO for PET; PETCO). The Business Plan Model is tailored to the Kenyan framework and takes into consideration current draft regulations for the EPR.

January 2021

KEPRO (Kenya Producer Responsibility Organisation)

KEPRO’s purpose is to accelerate the growth of Kenya’s Recycling Ecosystem, leading to a Circular Economy that will protect the natural environment & create jobs for future generations. This will be done through the implementation of a proven EPR model embedded within the environmental laws and legal framework of Kenya.

February 2021

The Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Regulations

The regulations provide for extended producer responsibility for all products and waste streams in all phases of their life cycle to enhance environmental sustainability.

October 2021

The Kenya Plastics Pact

The Kenya Plastics Pact is an ambitious, collaborative initiative that brings together stakeholders across the whole plastics value chain to transform the current linear plastics system into a circular economy for plastics. All stakeholders involved sign up to a joint set of ambitious and time-bound targets, ensuring that this collaboration will drive significant change by 2030. Progress will be monitored and publicly reported every year. Collective efforts and targets will speed up the transition.

March 2022

Sustainable Waste Management Bill (2021)

The Bill establishes the legal and institutional framework for the sustainable management of waste; the realization of the constitutional provision on the right to a clean and healthy environment; and for connected purposes enacted by the Parliament of Kenya.

March 2022

National Marine litter Action Plan (2021)

The Action plan provides pathways and identifies an agreed road map on which Kenya will ensure how waste is properly managed (prevention, reduction, sustainable management, circular economy, enhanced research, awareness, and data dissemination) to ensure it does not reach marine ecosystems that are a livelihood, especially to coast and lake region counties. The plan is designed to be a flexible tool that guides stakeholders and provides a framework for cooperation to combat marine litter.
The plan identifies 8 principles to guide its implementation by pivoting the precautionary principle, the polluter pays principle, integration, the prevention principle, the ecosystem approach, public participation and stakeholder involvement, sustainable consumption and production, and the best available knowledge and socio-economic effectiveness.

March 2022

Nairobi County Waste Management Action Plan (2021)

Schedule 4 of Kenya’s constitution identifies waste management to be a function of the County Government and this plan develops key structures to ensure waste management is effective and efficient in aligning with the right to a clean and healthy environment, pursuant to Article 42 of the Constitution of Kenya