General Secretary, Africa Packaging Organization, Joseph Nyongesa, argues that packaging plays a vital role in delivering goods safely to consumers, but poor disposal of plastic waste is contributing to blocked drainage systems and flooding.
Speaking on Radio Generation on Tuesday, he says improved recycling systems, better waste separation, and stronger infrastructure are needed to address plastic pollution in Kenya’s cities.
Nyongesa, the chief executive of the Institute of Packaging Professionals Kenya (IOPPK), a board member of the World Packaging Organisation, described packaging as a critical but often overlooked component of the supply chain.
He said many people rarely consider the complex processes involved in ensuring that everyday goods arrive safely on supermarket shelves. According to him, designing and producing packaging requires specialised skills, advanced materials, equipment and technology.
Nyongesa used the example of milk distribution to illustrate the importance of packaging. He explained that the systems developed by the packaging industry allow urban residents to access fresh milk and other goods without needing to produce them locally.
He noted that without such systems, cities would face serious logistical and environmental challenges if every household attempted to keep livestock or produce its own goods.
However, the CEO acknowledged that packaging waste, particularly plastics, has become a growing environmental concern.
Recent flooding in Nairobi and other parts of the country has drawn attention to the role of improperly disposed plastic waste in blocking drainage systems.
Nyongesa expressed sympathy for families affected by the floods, noting that the packaging sector recognises the seriousness of the issue.
He explained that packaging materials include paper, glass, metal and plastic, each with different waste management challenges.
According to him, most materials such as paper, glass and metal already have well-established recycling systems. Paper can be collected and processed into new paper products, while glass can be melted and reused in manufacturing.
Metal also has a strong recycling market, with scrap dealers collecting and selling metal products for reuse in industry.
Plastics, however, present more complex challenges, particularly single-use plastics that are discarded after use.
Nyongesa said plastics can be divided into two categories, hard plastics and flexible plastics.
Hard plastics, such as water and soda bottles, are relatively easier to collect and recycle. These materials can be cleaned, processed and reused to produce new bottles.
Flexible plastics, commonly used in packaging items such as diapers and other consumer products, are more difficult to recycle and remain a major challenge for waste management systems.
Nyongesa said the packaging industry has begun implementing measures aimed at reducing the environmental impact of packaging materials.
These include efforts to reduce the amount of packaging material used and the development of materials designed to break down more easily after disposal.
He also highlighted Kenya’s extended producer responsibility regulations, which require producers to contribute financially to waste management.
Under this system, manufacturers must pay levies based on the amount and type of packaging materials they release into the market.
The funds are collected by organisations known as producer responsibility organisations, which are responsible for supporting waste collection and recycling efforts.
Nyongesa said producers currently pay fees calculated per kilogram of packaging material placed in the market.
The regulations were introduced several years ago but only became fully operational in 2024 after the necessary structures were established.
Despite these developments, Nyongesa said the waste management system remains in its early stages and still faces infrastructure challenges.
Waste management is largely handled by county governments, which are responsible for organising collection, sorting and recycling systems.
Nyongesa said effective recycling also requires households to separate waste before disposal, something that is still not widely practiced.
He noted that Kenya’s current waste collection system often involves mixed garbage being placed in a single bag and transported to disposal sites.
Despite these challenges, he emphasised that packaging remains a vital part of modern economies and international trade.
He described packaging as a “silent infrastructure” that enables goods to move efficiently through supply chains and reach consumers locally and globally.
Nyongesa said investment in waste management systems, recycling technology and public awareness will be necessary to ensure that packaging continues to support economic activity without creating environmental risks.