The East African Business Council (EABC) advocates actively the adoption of green packaging technologies as a crucial step towards environmental conservation. Frank Dafa, a technical expert representing the regional business body, emphasized the need for businesses to embrace packaging solutions that utilize environmentally friendly materials.
Addressing stakeholders at a recent circular packaging conference held in Nairobi, Mr Dafa urged businesses to align with sustainable packaging requirements, emphasizing that doing so would not only reduce costs but also enhance overall performance. The conference brought together key players from the East African region to discuss challenges and opportunities related to circular packaging.
Mr Dafa outlined significant challenges associated with circular packaging and stressed that the time is ripe for companies to invest in environmentally beneficial practices. He called on stakeholders to collaboratively establish a regional framework for the development of a circular economy and sustainable waste management.
A circular economy, characterized by the reuse and recycling of existing materials and products, is gaining traction globally as a model to address challenges such as pollution, waste, biodiversity loss, and climate change through the adoption of green technologies.
Circular packaging, a key component of the circular economy, focuses on designing packaging that promotes reuse and recycling instead of contributing to environmental pollution. This sustainable packaging alternative, made from materials such as paper, cardboard, glass, metal, and certain types of plastic, is seen as a responsible choice compared to traditional packaging that ends up in disposal.
The Circular Packaging Conference in Nairobi, organized in collaboration with the Kenya Extended Producers Organisation (Kepro), featured partnerships with the Confederation of Danish Industries (DI), DOW, and Silafrica. The event brought together exhibitors, waste management experts, manufacturers, and business membership organizations to discuss and promote sustainable practices along the value chain.
The conference concluded with a resolution to establish an engagement framework and advocate for the standardization and harmonization of measures and procedures for circular packaging.
The East African Community (EAC) bloc was identified as having significant untapped potential in solid waste for a circular economy. Despite generating thousands of tonnes of waste daily, the region is yet to fully capitalize on this potential. In Tanzania alone, 14,800 tonnes of waste are generated daily, with 48 percent being plastic.
While the EAC region ranks low in waste management and the conversion of waste into different products through recycling and reuse, there is an opportunity for private sector investment in waste management to play a pivotal role. It was noted that current laws on the safe disposal of hazardous electronic and plastic waste are insufficient.
Investing in waste management and embracing a circular economy not only enhances a company's reputation by responsible waste disposal but also positions firms to meet the growing global demand for green products. This shift is expected to increase company sales and profitability, making it a strategic move for businesses in the evolving landscape of sustainable practices.