Saturday, 20th September 2024, South Africa: TakaTaka ni Mali has been officially appointed as Kenya’s ambassador to the International Solid Waste Association (ISWA), marking a significant milestone for the country’s waste management sector. As an ISWA ambassador, TakaTaka ni Mali will represent Kenya’s waste management industry on the global stage, gaining access to the world’s leading network for promoting sustainable and professional waste management practices.
TakaTaka ni Mali has also led a delegation of waste management stakeholders from the East African region to the ISWA Conference 2024. A first-ever East African Plenary Session, titled “The Role of Technology & Innovation in Waste Management”, will be hosted at the event.
Global municipal solid waste is projected to rise from 2.1 billion tonnes in 2023 to 3.8 billion tonnes by 2050, according to ISWA.
The EAC has made strides in promoting proper waste management, the sector remains largely unregulated, posing significant challenges to the effectiveness of policies like Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). Engaging with global leaders at ISWA presents an invaluable opportunity to learn on best policy practices and adopt proven solutions to transform waste into wealth for a sustainable future.
Speaking at the ISWA 2024 Conference, Taka Taka ni Mali founder Mary Ngechu said “technical expertise and policy development in the region must align with international best practices to ensure the sector’s success and sustainability.”
She further called for the urgent need for continuous education and capacity building for waste management stakeholders in Kenya and the EAC region at large.
On his part, East Africa Business Council (EABC) Ag. Executive Director Adrian Raphael Njau said, “Solid waste management provides a massive opportunity to bridge the unemployment gap in East Africa if stakeholders can come together to initiate structured systems for proper waste collection and recycling.”
Kenya Alliance of Resident Associations (KARA) CEO, Henry Ochieng, emphasized the urgent need to address poor waste management, stating, “We recognize the severe impact it has on both the environment and the economy. Engaging with global leaders in waste management gives us the chance to adopt innovative techniques that can revolutionize the sector within the East African Community. We are ready to embrace change and elevate our region’s socio-economic standing.”
Joyce Gachugi Waweru, CEO of Packaging Producer Responsibility Organisation (PAKPRO), echoed this sentiment, stressing that opportunities to leverage financing, technology and social inclusivity for our waste collectors is critical for the country and East African region.
“While we’ve made strides, our sector still faces inequalities—from low recovery and recycling technologies and infrastructure to consumer responsibility in proper waste disposal. This conference is a critical learning opportunity and a platform for us to collaboratively develop strategic plans for better and sustainable waste management in Kenya,” concluded Mrs. Waweru.
According to Kenya National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), Kenya generates 22,000 tonnes of waste per day, with urban areas like Nairobi contributing 2,400 tonnes daily. However, only 45-50% of this waste is collected and properly managed, largely due to inadequate infrastructure for waste collection and disposal.
Ms. Ngechu further noted that TTNM appointment as the ISWA ambassador for Kenya presents a valuable opportunity to enhance the country’s waste management efforts by working with global experts and introducing innovative solutions to improve efficiency in the sector.
The ISWA 2024 Conference, took place from 15 to 18 September, in Africa for the first time. It offered a chance for waste management experts to share knowledge, innovations, and enjoy technical site visits and cultural experiences. The delegation from East Africa included Packaging Producer Responsibility Organisation (PAKPRO), Bio Foods Products, Kenya Alliance of Residents Association (KARA), Green Leaf Services Ltd, The GSMA and Safaricom PLC.
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About TakaTaka ni Mali (TTNM)
TakaTaka ni Mali is committed to fostering innovation, fostering growth, and enhancing connectivity within Kenya’s waste management ecosystem, with the goal of transforming it into a circular economy. Our impact strategy model is focused on advancing Kenya towards a circular economy, ensuring material supply security, and fostering competition, innovation, growth, and job creation within the waste management sector.
About International Solid Waste Association (ISWA)
ISWA is a prestigious international organization uniting waste professionals and experts, dedicated to advancing sustainable waste management and driving the transition to a circular economy worldwide.
