Nairobi, July 9, 2025
Kenya has become the first country on the continent to implement a program aimed at addressing challenges in plastic waste recycling supply chain.
This comes after Circulate Initiative, a global non-profit focused on tackling ocean plastic pollution in emerging markets, announced the expansion of its Responsible Sourcing Initiative (RSI) into Africa.
Kenya becomes the fourth country globally to implement the RSI, following successful pilots in India, Indonesia, and Vietnam.
This marks a pivotal step for the initiative, which brings together brands, investors, recyclers, and waste worker organizations to address some of the most urgent human rights challenges in the plastics recycling supply chain.
Supported by funding from The Coca-Cola Foundation and IKEA Foundation, the RSI aims to improve working conditions, wages, and recognition for the informal waste sector—workers who play a critical but often overlooked role in keeping plastic waste out of the environment.
In Kenya, the program is being implemented in partnership with Mr. Green Africa, a Nairobi-based plastics recycling company known for integrating informal waste pickers into its operations. The collaboration centers on rolling out the Harmonized Responsible Sourcing Framework for Recycled Plastics, a global standard launched in 2024 to guide ethical and inclusive sourcing in the recycled plastics sector.
“Our launch in Africa is a significant milestone,” said Annerieke Douma, Senior Director of Programs at The Circulate Initiative.
“It allows us to take our global experience and tailor it to local realities—starting here in Kenya, where waste pickers are on the frontlines of the plastic pollution crisis but still face discrimination and precarious working conditions.”
Kenya produces nearly 983,000 tonnes of plastic waste annually, yet only 8% is currently recycled, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Informal waste workers—estimated at over 46,000 nationwide—play a crucial role in bridging this recycling gap.
A recent baseline study of Mr. Green Africa’s operations, conducted at a stakeholder forum in Nairobi, highlighted both strengths and areas for improvement within the company’s value chain.
Key challenges identified include low pay, unsafe conditions, and limited access to social protections for many workers.
Still, the study revealed promising signs: many waste pickers are aware of unions and eager to engage more formally with industry stakeholders.
“Partnering with the Kenya National Waste Pickers Welfare Association and other grassroots groups will be essential,” Douma added. “Their voices must shape the solutions we create.”
Carlos Pagoaga, President of The Coca-Cola Foundation, emphasized the critical role of informal workers in circular economy goals.
“These workers are essential to reducing packaging waste. Supporting RSI is about protecting their rights and recognizing the impact they make every day,” he said.
Keiran Smith, Co-Founder and CEO of Mr. Green Africa, said the initiative is aligned with the company’s mission to create an ethical, transparent supply chain for recycled plastics.
“Through RSI, we can expand our network, boost Africa’s supply of responsibly sourced plastic, and uplift the people who make it possible.”
The Circulate Initiative also announced the launch of the Responsible Sourcing Network Africa (RSNA)—a collaborative platform to train and support organizations in scaling responsible sourcing practices.
The network will operate in seven countries: Ethiopia, Egypt, Nigeria, Algeria, Djibouti, Morocco, and Kenya.
The global goal is to enhance the livelihoods of 50,000 informal waste workers, gain commitments from over 50 global brands, and deliver 100,000 tonnes of responsibly sourced recycled plastic.
As the initiative takes root in Africa, it brings new hope for a more inclusive and sustainable plastics economy—one where waste pickers are no longer invisible, but recognized as the environmental stewards they truly are.