KAM hosts the 3rd edition of the LOOP Forum Kenya

KAM hosts the 3rd edition of the LOOP Forum Kenya

Kenya is making significant strides towards a sustainable future as the third edition of the Loop Forum Kenya kicks off .

This event is dedicated to advancing circular economy solutions, minimizing waste generation, and enhancing resource efficiency.

Dubbed ‘Driving Kenya’s Transition to a Circular Economy through Collaboration, Innovation, and Sustainability,’ the two-day forum( Tuesday and Wednesday)brings together key stakeholders, including government representatives, private sector leaders, investors, development partners, and research institutions.

The objective is to foster collaboration, drive investment, and facilitate knowledge exchange to accelerate the adoption of circular economy principles.

Present at the forum, National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) Compliance Director, David Ongare, noted that the dialogue on circular economy is paramount.

Ongare noted that, “We believe that together, we have the potential to create long lasting change. NEMA and the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry have introduced several regulatory instruments, such as the National Waste Policy, EPR regulations, and plastics regulations, among others, to support initiatives like this one.

Discussions on circularity are therefore crucial for advancing our shared goals.”

KAM recognizes that accelerating the transition to a circular economy is one of the surest ways of securing the future of our planet for generations to come.

“As Kenya Association of Manufacturers(KAM), we are focusing on sustainability because this is our world, and we must protect it through sustainable processes.

Through the Centre for Green Growth and Climate Change, KAM offers programmes and initiatives to drive the circular economy.

This includes the circular economy resource mapping program, that entails changing design, management, and/or practices to reduce waste, the negative impacts on the environment, strengthening re-generative processes and creating industrial symbiosis loops in industrial processes,” noted KAM Chief Executive, Tobias Alando.

KAM has also developed practical, creative, and easily applicable avenues to drive Kenya’s circular economy.

It’s initiatives include the partnership with PAKPRO, to reduce waste in the environment, and the formation of Kenya Extended Producer Responsibility Organization (KEPRO).

“KEPRO’s mandate is to support manufacturers’ collective efforts to address plastic waste management and act as a Producer Responsibility Organization to engage stakeholders in the packaging and/or manufactured goods value chain,” he said.

Joyce Gachugi, PAKPRO CEO, noted that circular economy offers industries a myriad of opportunities.

“Transitioning to a circular economy is not a constraint but an opportunity to position businesses for long-term success while safeguarding the environment.

By complying with Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations, we are not merely meeting legal requirements; we are actively shaping a future where waste becomes a valuable resource rather than a burden,” she said.

Through the Loop Forum, she said they will continue to build on Kenya’s commitment to a circular transition.

Prof Gatebe Erastus, Industrialization Secretary, said that the government recognizes the transformative role of the textile and leather industry in economic growth and job creation.

“Your dedication to producing quality sustainable products reflects a strong commitment to circularity. As we navigate the fashion sector, we have an exciting lineup of activities that will highlight the diversity of our industry, showcasing how deeply rooted we are in this sector,” he said during the forum.