If estimations by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) that only a fraction—about 10 per cent of about 400,000 tonnes of plastic waste produced in Kenya annually – is recycled are anything to go by, then urgent measures are required to save the environment from choking with plastic.

Waste management experts suggest that the first important step would be to address the position of the garbage pickers and aggregators as the link people.

Reflecting on an assessment in Kenya that highlights the need for a systems-level approach to responsible sourcing, Annerieke Douma, senior director of programmes at The Circulate Initiative, called for proper recognition of waste pickers to avert the piling of more garbage across the country.

Speaking at the launch of the Responsible Sourcing Initiative, Douma noted that the project is the first step towards scaling responsible sourcing practices across Africa. It’s also aimed at protecting workers who are at the frontlines of the fight against plastic pollution.
“Our launch in Africa is a significant milestone for the Responsible Sourcing Initiative.

As the first regional approach, it allows us to take learnings from our work to date to the broader ecosystem in Africa, addressing human rights issues for informal workers across the continent,” she said, pointing out that despite their significance in the value chain, waste pickers are usually ignored.

The Responsible Sourcing Initiative is The Circulate Initiative’s global program that brings together brands, investors, recyclers, and waste worker organisations to address the most pressing human rights issues in the plastics recycling value chain.

Recognising pickers

According to Douma, partnering with the Kenya National Waste Pickers Welfare Association (KNWPWA) and other groups will be key to harnessing their collective voice and ensuring all solutions are shaped by those on the ground and directly impacted.
While there are no official estimates of the number of waste pickers, the KNWPWA reports 46,000 members.

“These workers play a critical role in bridging the gap in waste collection services and supplying materials for recycling, and their efforts should be recognised at national and local levels,” Douma added.

Kenya generates approximately 983,000 tonnes of plastic waste annually. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), only about 27 per cent of this waste is currently collected, with just 8 per cent recycled.
Data shows that the remainder is disposed of in landfills or dumpsites, streets, and water bodies, creating far-reaching environmental and socio-economic challenges.

On June 17 during this year’s World Environment Day celebrations, Environment, Forestry and Climate Change Cabinet Secretary, Dr Deborah Barasa admitted that the informal waste pickers were often overlooked, but are now being recognised and integrated into formal systems through public-private partnerships and county-level waste initiatives.

“I am calling on county governments, businesses, civil societies, and communities to take the lead in waste segregation, sustainable packaging and local recycling solutions,” she said.