Plastic waste management and recycling in Mombasa, Kenya

This scoping study examines the plastic waste management and recycling value chain in Mombasa, Kenya. It identifies the stakeholders, institutional governance structures, and the policy and regulatory frameworks governing the sector. The report highlights the potential for a circular economy to create jobs and reduce environmental pollution, while detailing the significant socio-economic, financial, and regulatory barriers that currently limit the efficiency of plastic recovery and recycling in the region.

• Mombasa generates approximately 850 metric tons of waste per day, of which about 120 tons is plastic. The proportion of plastic in municipal waste varies by income level, ranging from 11% in middle-income estates to 19% in high-income residential areas.
• The most commonly recovered plastic polymers for recycling in Mombasa are polyethylene terephthalate (PET), high density polyethylene (HDPE), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Conversely, low density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene, and polystyrene are rarely recycled and often end up as litter or in dumpsites.
• The plastic recycling value chain is structured into collection, aggregation, and two categories of value addition. Category I involves flaking and shredding, while Category II involves further processing into finer particles or pellets. Converters then transform these materials into finished products, such as water tanks from HDPE or floor tiling from PVC.
• Recycling workers, particularly informal waste pickers and community groups, face significant social and occupational hazards. These include negative social perceptions, exploitation through unstable pricing, child labour, and health risks from handling contaminated materials without personal protective equipment, as well as exposure to hazardous animals like snakes in dumpsites.
• The regulatory environment for recyclers is described as stringent and often unaffordable. A Category I investor may need approximately KES 250,000 for NEMA and county licensing and permits. Additionally, the requirement to track waste in transit and time limitations on transportation (6 AM to 6 PM) are cited as burdens that can lead to extortion by enforcement officers.
• Kenya has implemented a ban on the production, sale, and use of plastic carrier bags since 2017, with severe penalties including fines between KES 2 million and KES 4 million or imprisonment. This has effectively reduced litter in public places and created markets for biodegradable alternatives like jute and cotton bags.
• The upcoming Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Regulations 2021 are expected to be a major catalyst for the sector by making producers financially or physically responsible for their products' post-consumer phase. Currently, voluntary schemes like PETCO coordinate PET packaging recycling, supported by 16 manufacturers controlling about 60% of the beverage sector.
• Financial sustainability is hindered by high transportation costs, unreliable electricity, and a lack of investment capital. Recyclers often struggle with the high cost of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA), which can cost around KES 100,000.
• Material quality is compromised by contamination from organic waste and the use of non-recyclable labels, strong adhesives, and aluminium foils in packaging. This forces converters to transfer the cost of poor quality down the value chain to processors and collectors.
• There is a significant gap between academia and the recycling sector, with limited research and development to create local uses for materials like PET, which is currently mostly exported to China for conversion.

APA

Njoroge, G., Nikam, J., & Ddiba, D. (2022). Plastic waste management and recycling in Mombasa, Kenya. Stockholm Environment Institute. https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/plasticwastemanagementmombasa-sei2022.013.pdf

Chicago

Njoroge, George, Jaee Nikam, and Daniel Ddiba. Plastic waste management and recycling in Mombasa, Kenya. Stockholm Environment Institute, 2022. https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/plasticwastemanagementmombasa-sei2022.013.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Njoroge |first1=George |last2=Nikam |first2=Jaee |last3=Ddiba |first3=Daniel |title=Plastic waste management and recycling in Mombasa, Kenya |publisher=Stockholm Environment Institute |date=April 2022 |url=https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/plasticwastemanagementmombasa-sei2022.013.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{njoroge2022plastic, author = {Njoroge, George and Nikam, Jaee and Ddiba, Daniel}, title = {{Plastic waste management and recycling in Mombasa, Kenya}}, institution = {Stockholm Environment Institute}, year = {2022}, month = apr, url = {https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/plasticwastemanagementmombasa-sei2022.013.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }