By Eddah Waithaka
Greenpeace Africa is challenging the Kenyan government to set bold national targets that will slash single-use plastics and ignite a shift toward refillable and reusable packaging systems.
The call to action launched the inaugural Refill and Reuse Festival at the National Museums of Kenya on Thursday. Advocates championed the move as a dual solution that will protect the environment and create new economic opportunities.
“Refill and reuse systems can create jobs while reducing the hidden costs of plastic pollution that burden governments and taxpayers,” said Hellen Kahaso Dena, Project Lead for the Pan African Plastics Project at Greenpeace Africa.
Dena emphasized that sustainable packaging is deeply rooted in African tradition. “Corporations prioritizing profit over people and planet are invading our markets with single-use plastics,” she stated.
“Governments must invest in refill infrastructure and set clear targets that make reuse the norm.”
Also Read : https://africawatchnews.co.ke/linda-mau-boresha-maisha-kenya-kicks-off-ambitious-mau-forest-restoration/
She highlighted the massive financial drain of throwaway culture, noting that countries spend billions to clean drainage systems, build incinerators, and cover health expenses linked to plastic pollution.
The two-day festival is bringing together communities, policymakers, manufacturers, and innovators to showcase existing refill solutions and drive policy discussions.
Gerance Mutwol, Plastics Campaigner at Greenpeace Africa, directly challenged the focus on recycling. “Recycling distracts us while corporations keep producing more plastic,” Mutwol said. “Plastics leach harmful chemicals into our soil, water, and bodies throughout their lifecycle.”
He positioned refill and reuse as a superior alternative. “These systems prevent plastic pollution at the source. They conserve resources, create jobs, and protect public health. This is an economic opportunity our government can no longer ignore.”
Under the theme “Experience, Refill, Reuse: A Sustainable Lifestyle for All,” the event invites families and schools to engage with the movement.
Attendees can explore hands-on refill stations, zero-waste exhibitions, and children’s upcycling art competitions. The festival will also feature live music, poetry, and an interactive refill challenge with prizes.
Organisers designed the free-admission event to make sustainability accessible, demonstrating that practical alternatives to throwaway culture align with African values of community and resourcefulness.
The Refill and Reuse Festival continues at the National Museums of Kenya. Admission is free for both days.
Read More At : https://africawatchnews.co.ke/
