In a landmark move for environmental sustainability, Kenya has been handpicked as one of just two African countries to pioneer the Responsible Sourcing Initiative (RSI), a global program designed to eradicate plastic pollution at its roots.
This selection underscores Kenya’s growing reputation as a frontrunner in the battle against single-use plastics, building on its pioneering 2017 ban on plastic bags.
The ban slashed usage by 80% and inspired similar moves across East Africa, but broader challenges persist including weak enforcement, limited infrastructure, and climate-vulnerable communities bearing the brunt of pollution.
As the initiative rolls out in Nairobi, it promises not only to clean up the country’s overflowing waste streams but also to uplift the lives over 46,000 informal waste workers who form the backbone of Kenya’s recycling efforts.
Kenya grapples with a staggering plastic pollution crisis. Each year, the country generates approximately 983,000 tonnes of plastic waste, yet only 27% of it is collected, and a mere 8% makes it to recycling facilities. The remainder ends up in landfills, illegal dumpsites, or worse, washing into rivers and oceans, threatening marine life and public health.
The informal waste pickers, often working in hazardous conditions without protective gear or fair pay, handle much of the collection. They sort through trash for recyclables, but systemic gaps leave them vulnerable to exploitation and health risks.
The RSI program is led by non-profit, The Circulate Initiative, and funded by the Coca-Cola Foundation and IKEA Foundation.
Kenya’s project, which will be implemented in partnership with local recycler Mr. Green Africa, marks the initiative’s first foray into Africa, with Ethiopia slated to follow next year.
Globally, RSI has already taken root in India, Indonesia, and Vietnam, proving its model in diverse emerging markets.
At its core, RSI is a blueprint for a fairer, greener plastics economy. It establishes a harmonized framework for responsibly sourcing recycled plastics, ensuring that supply chains prioritize worker rights, safe conditions, and ethical practices.
For Kenya, this means transforming the informal sector from a patchwork of survival jobs into a structured network of green jobs.
“By integrating informal pickers into formal value chains, RSI aims to provide training, fair wages, and health protections. Informal waste workers are critical to our efforts to build a more sustainable future and help reduce packaging waste,” says Carlos Pagoaga, president of The Coca-Cola Foundation.
“By joining the RSI, we can expand our network and increase the supply of responsibly sourced recycled plastic in Africa, whilst improving livelihoods and conditions for these workers,” Keiran Smith, co-founder and CEO of Mr. Green Africa says.
Annerieke Douma, senior director of Programmes at The Circulate Initiative, calls it a “first step towards scaling responsible sourcing practices across Africa aimed at protecting workers who are at the frontlines of the fight against plastic pollution.”
RSI aligns with Kenya’s National Waste Management Act (2020), fostering a loop where plastics are reused rather than discarded, cutting down on virgin plastic imports and greenhouse gas emissions.
Globally, RSI eyes ambitious targets of uplifting 50,000 informal workers, securing pledges from over 50 brands, and channeling 100,000 tonnes of responsibly sourced recycled plastic into markets.
