Tetra Pak East Africa has joined the Packaging Producer Responsibility Organisation (PAKPRO) in a bid to accelerate the collection and recycling of its paper packaging cartons.
Announcing the move on Tuesday, Tetra Pak said its PAKPRO membership from May 23, 2023 and will boost the collection and recycling of Liquid Board Packaging (LBP) in Kenya.
The move is in compliance with the Sustainable Waste Management Act 2022, which among other things seeks to promote sustainable waste management, improve the health of all Kenyans as well as reduce air, land, fresh water and marine pollution.
This comes as the Ministry of Environment and Forestry has been engaging all stakeholders in the formulation of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations to actualize it.’
Tetra Pak Managing Director Jonathan Kinisu says the packaging company has been engaging all stakeholders in the value chain to ensure the success of the recycling initiative.
“Combining our experience, our technical knowhow on the topic, initiatives, investments and how to deploy this in Kenya, we are joining forces with PAKPRO and its successful track record in implementing EPR schemes, we see many synergies that will develop and support in advancing our mutual sustainability initiatives,” said Kinisu.
PAKPRO CEO Joyce Gachugi Waweru welcomed Tetra Pak East Africa into the organization saying the move will boost compliance while leveraging each other’s strengths to succeed.
“The alignment of the mission and vision of both organizations towards increasing the collection and recycling of Liquid Board Packaging is coming together,” said Waweru.
She added, “As we seek to leverage each other’s networks in strengthening the LBP value chain in the country, we are keen to ensure that more than just compliance is met for Tetra Pak.”
And Kevian Kenya Limited Chairman Kimani Rugendo urged government to support the food and beverage industry, packaging and recycling sectors for sustainability efforts to succeed.
“There is need to ensure that the industries are really preserved and they are given maximum cooperation by all parties because it is a jewel,” intimated Rugendo.
