The government is considering a new national refill and reuse system that could gradually change how everyday products are packaged, sold, and consumed as the Government moves to reduce plastic waste.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

The proposed system would encourage businesses to move away from single-use packaging and offer more products in containers that can be refilled and used repeatedly.

One of the proposals is the introduction of deposit-return systems, where consumers could pay a refundable deposit when buying products in reusable packaging and receive the money back after returning the empty containers.

The system could apply progressively to products such as beverages, cooking oil, cleaning products, personal-care products and dry foods, subject to health, safety and quality standards.

📌 What You Need to Know

The recommendations also propose mandatory refill and reuse targets for selected product categories, which could require producers to progressively increase the amount of their products offered through refillable or reusable systems.

Receiving the recommendations, Deputy Director of Waste Management and Pollution Control Njoroge Mbitu said refill and reuse systems could help reduce waste at its source while creating opportunities for green jobs and innovation.

“Refill and reuse systems have the potential to reduce waste at source, complement recycling and recovery initiatives, and create opportunities for green jobs and innovation,” Mbitu said.

The proposals have been presented to the State Department for Environment and Climate Change as part of efforts to strengthen Kenya’s existing waste management and Extended Producer Responsibility framework.

A proposed National Refill and Reuse Framework would establish standards covering refillable packaging, product safety, labelling, hygiene and traceability to ensure reusable containers can be safely used.

Producers could also be required to invest more in reusable packaging and waste prevention , alongside improved reporting requirements under the Extended Producer Responsibility framework.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke