The growing advocacy around plastic pollution has identified initiatives that can strategically be used to demystify the crisis as one with major opportunities, both for economic and environmental wellness.
One of those initiatives is the newly unveiled Plastic Circular Investment for Kenyan plastic recycling entrepreneurs. Its drafters see it as an opportunity to accelerate plastic pricing and financing mechanisms in the country.
“Plastic waste is a resource waiting to be activated, a feedstock for innovation, and a source of green jobs, particularly for our youth and women,” Environment, Climate Change and Forestry Principal Secretary, Eng. Festus Ng’eno stated during the launch of the initiative.
He revealed that the government has embarked on developing the National Circular Economy Strategy and Implementation Plan. This, the PS believes will position Kenya within a circular framework that assigns responsibility, enhances accountability, and strengthens environmental stewardship.
“However, if we are to meet our statutory recycling targets under the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations, we must move beyond compliance to capital mobilization,” saying this, Eng. Ng’eno pointed out that public funding alone cannot finance the scale of infrastructure required.
Kenya generates close to one million tonnes of plastic waste annually, of which only a small share is captured and recycled, where collection rates are roughly 27 percent, and recycling remains a paltry 8 percent. The remainder, the PS said often ends up in landfills or the natural environment, affecting urban and rural ecosystems alike.
Globally, it’s estimated that over 400 million tonnes of plastic waste are generated annually, with a significant proportion never recycled and instead accumulating in landfills, ecosystems, and waterways.
“As you are aware, plastic pollution is a global crisis, and despite the growing awareness and policy efforts, current investment flows into plastic circularity remain far below what is required, with emerging economies, including those in Africa, having historically received only about 6 percent of these investments despite bearing disproportionate impacts from plastic pollution,” he added.
Global Investment in plastics circularity has averaged around Sh4 trillion (USD 32 billion) annually, yet this is only a fraction of the estimated over Sh128 trillion (USD 100 billion) needed by 2030 to scale circular solutions.
“This stark reality underscores not only an environmental challenge but an economic and social opportunity.
“Therefore, we must crowd in private investment, develop bankable project models, strengthen fee-setting methodologies and enhance digital traceability and reporting systems,” he said, clearly making a case for the new initiative.
Nagnouma Koné, the Manager for Africa Strategy and Partnership and Head of Kenya Office at the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) cautioned that if the identified structural gaps are not addressed, private capital will remain hesitant.
According to Kone even the required statutory recycling targets – under the EPR Regulations – may not be fully realized.
“This initiative moves beyond theory. It focuses on turning plastic-pricing mechanisms into bankable projects, designing investment-ready financing structures, de-risking private sector participation, strengthening monitoring and digital reporting systems, as well as building scalable public–private partnerships,” she said.
Kone, pointed out that through a structured methodology, the Plastic Circular Investmen Initiative aims to support EPR fees, levies, and deposit-refund systems to generate predictable, transparent cash flows that can support circular infrastructure, from recycling facilities to sorting systems and beyond.
“The Plastic Circular Investmen Initiative is not just environmental reform. It is an economic opportunity,” she stated, highlighting the benefits accruing from a functioning circular economy, which include; creation of jobs, reduction of pollution, and strengthens value chains.
A functioning circular economy also supports Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and recyclers, enhances Kenya’s competitiveness, and contributes to the country’s national climate commitments.
“It transforms plastic from an environmental liability into an economic asset,” she added.
Kang Hyung-shik, the Korean ambassador to Kenya said during the launch of the initiative in Nairobi that if the plastic pollution crisis can be used as an opportunity to transition toward a circular economy, it would create new livelihood prospects.
“By mobilizing investment, strengthening value chains, and enabling innovative business models, we can transform plastic waste from an environmental burden into a driver of green growth, job creation, and inclusive development,” he argued.
Whereas, the worsening plastic pollution is undoubtedly a major threat to humanity, Hyung-shik believes that the plastic pollution catastrophe is not just a crisis but an opportunity. He said the new initiative is therefore a shared commitment among government, development partners. investors, and entrepreneurs to accelerate systemic change.
The ambassador pointed out that Korea recognizes the serious ripple effects of plastic pollution, and is actively participating in international solidarity to prevent plastic pollution. The eastern Asian nation is closely partnering with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), South Korean founded Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), and the Kenyan government to address the plastic pollution menace.
“At a time when the need for regulations on plastic products – to prevent environmental pollution – is increasing, I believe the Plastic Circular Investment Initiative event is highly meaningful and timely,” he stated.
Korea hosted the World Environment Day event under the theme of ‘beat plastic pollution supported by UNEP in June last year. The ambassador described it as an invaluable opportunity to raise awareness on environmental protection, urging people around the world to take swift action to address many environmental challenges including plastic pollution.
Plastic is one of the main culprits of environmental destruction, he noted. His country, Korea hosted the first part of the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) on plastic pollution treaty in November 2024, and the hopes were that all the member states were to work collectively towards a global binding treaty.
The INC on plastic pollution was established by the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) Resolution 5/14 to develop an international legally binding instrument addressing the full life cycle of plastics, from production to disposal. However, following sessions in Uruguay, France, Kenya, Canada, and South Korea, the 5th session (INC-5) concluded in August 2025 without full consensus.
Some of the challenges that hampered a consensus include, deep divisions between nations seeking high-ambition, strict production limits and those focused on recycling and waste management.
But Hyung-shik is hopeful this will be achieved in the coming sessions.
“I hope that all the member states can work together to resolve the outstanding issues and finalize the global treaty to end plastic pollution at the upcoming session of the INC in the near future,” he said.
Hyung-shik noted that the launch of the initiative is an opportunity to raise public awareness on the need to prevent plastic pollution and encourage more companies and countries to participate in the Plastic Pricing and Financing initiative.
