Introduction and Background
Rapid urbanization, population growth, and changing consumption patterns have significantly increased plastic waste generation across African cities. In countries such as Kenya and Nigeria, urban centers are struggling to manage growing volumes of plastic waste due to inadequate collection systems, limited recycling infrastructure, and weak enforcement of waste management regulations. Plastic waste clogs drainage systems, contributes to flooding, pollutes waterways, harms marine and terrestrial ecosystems, and poses serious public health risks.
Kenya and Nigeria, as two of Africa’s largest and fastest-growing economies, illustrate both the scale of the challenge and the opportunity for transformation. Cities such as Nairobi, Mombasa, Lagos, and Abuja generate thousands of tons of plastic waste daily, much of which ends up in informal dumpsites, rivers, or the ocean. At the same time, these countries have vibrant informal recycling sectors, growing youth populations, and increasing policy interest in sustainable waste management.
The circular economy approach offers a sustainable alternative to the traditional linear “take–make–dispose” model. By promoting waste reduction, reuse, recycling, and resource recovery, circular economy solutions can transform plastic waste into economic value while reducing environmental harm. This proposal outlines a comprehensive, inclusive, and scalable program to implement circular economy-based plastic waste management solutions in selected urban areas of Kenya and Nigeria.
Problem Statement
Urban plastic waste management in Kenya and Nigeria faces several interconnected challenges:
- Rapid growth in single-use plastic consumption
- Inadequate waste segregation, collection, and recycling infrastructure
- Overreliance on landfilling and open dumping
- Limited integration and protection of informal waste pickers
- Low public awareness of plastic pollution and circular practices
Despite policy efforts such as Kenya’s plastic bag ban and Nigeria’s emerging waste management reforms, implementation gaps remain. Informal waste workers play a critical role in recycling but often operate under unsafe conditions with limited income security. Without systemic, inclusive, and market-linked solutions, plastic pollution will continue to undermine urban resilience, public health, and environmental sustainability.
Project Goal and Objectives
Overall Goal
To reduce plastic pollution and promote sustainable urban development in Kenya and Nigeria through inclusive circular economy solutions for plastic waste management.
Specific Objectives
- To increase plastic waste collection, segregation, and recycling in target cities
- To strengthen circular value chains for plastic waste
- To create green jobs and improve livelihoods for informal waste workers
- To promote innovation and entrepreneurship in plastic recycling and reuse
- To raise public awareness and behavioral change toward plastic reduction and circular practices
Project Approach and Methodology
The project will adopt an integrated circular economy approach, combining infrastructure development, livelihood support, private sector engagement, and community participation.
- Strengthening Plastic Waste Collection and Segregation
- The project will support improved waste collection and segregation through:
- Establishment of source-segregation systems at household and community levels
- Provision of collection bins and sorting facilities
- Partnerships with municipalities and community-based organizations
- Use of digital tools to improve collection efficiency and traceability
- The project will support improved waste collection and segregation through:
Special attention will be given to high-density informal settlements where waste services are limited.
- Development of Recycling and Resource Recovery Systems
- To close the plastic loop, the project will:
- Support establishment or upgrading of plastic recycling hubs
- Facilitate linkages between waste collectors and recycling enterprises
- Promote low-cost, locally appropriate recycling technologies
- Encourage production of recycled plastic products such as tiles, pavers, packaging, and construction materials
- To close the plastic loop, the project will:
Market linkages will ensure that recycled products have viable demand.
- Inclusion and Empowerment of Informal Waste Workers
- Informal waste pickers are central to plastic recycling in both Kenya and Nigeria. The project will:
- Organize waste pickers into cooperatives or associations
- Provide training on occupational health, safety, and business skills
- Improve access to protective equipment and fair pricing mechanisms
- Promote social inclusion, with a focus on women and youth
- Informal waste pickers are central to plastic recycling in both Kenya and Nigeria. The project will:
Formal recognition and integration will improve livelihoods and dignity of waste workers.
- Circular Economy Entrepreneurship and Innovation
This will stimulate local green economies and job creation.
- Behavior Change and Public Awareness
- Sustainable plastic management requires changes in consumer behavior. The project will implement:
- Public awareness campaigns on plastic reduction and segregation
- School and youth engagement programs
- Community clean-up and advocacy initiatives
- Media and social marketing campaigns
- Sustainable plastic management requires changes in consumer behavior. The project will implement:
These efforts will build a culture of responsible consumption and waste management.
Target Areas and Beneficiaries
Target Areas
The project will be implemented in selected urban areas, such as:
- Nairobi and Mombasa in Kenya
- Lagos and Abuja in Nigeria
Selection will be based on plastic pollution hotspots, municipal readiness, and partnership opportunities.
Target Beneficiaries
Primary beneficiaries:
- Informal waste pickers and recyclers
- Urban households and communities
- Youth and women entrepreneurs
Secondary beneficiaries:
- Municipal authorities
- Private recycling companies
- Urban ecosystems and coastal environments
The project aims to directly benefit 5,000–8,000 people during the pilot phase.
Implementation Plan and Timeline
The project will be implemented over 36 months in four phases:
- Phase 1: Baseline Assessment and Partnership Building (Months 1–6)
- Baseline assessment of plastic waste flows
- Stakeholder mapping and partnership agreements
- Selection of pilot communities and enterprises
- Phase 2: Infrastructure and System Development (Months 7–18)
- Establishment of segregation and collection systems
- Setup or upgrade of recycling hubs
- Training of waste workers and municipal staff
- Phase 3: Enterprise Support and Community Engagement (Months 19–30)
- Support to circular economy enterprises
- Public awareness and behavior change campaigns
- Monitoring of recycling and livelihood outcomes
- Phase 4: Scaling, Learning, and Policy Engagement (Months 31–36)
- Impact evaluation and documentation
- Scaling strategy and investment mobilization
- Policy dialogue and knowledge dissemination
Gender Equality and Social Inclusion
The project will prioritize gender and social inclusion by:
- Supporting women-led waste enterprises
- Improving safety and income security for women waste pickers
- Engaging youth as circular economy champions
- Ensuring inclusive decision-making structures
Gender-sensitive indicators will be integrated into monitoring frameworks.
Expected Outcomes and Impact
Expected Outcomes
- Increased plastic waste collection and recycling rates
- Improved incomes and working conditions for waste workers
- Growth of circular economy enterprises
- Increased public awareness and participation in waste segregation
Long-Term Impact
- Reduced plastic pollution in urban and coastal environments
- Strengthened urban resilience and public health
- Job creation and inclusive green economic growth
- Contribution to national and global plastic reduction goals
Sustainability and Scalability
Sustainability will be ensured through:
- Market-driven recycling and value chain development
- Strong public–private partnerships
- Capacity building of local institutions and enterprises
- Alignment with national waste management policies
The model will be scalable to other cities in Africa.
Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning
A results-based M&E framework will track:
- Volumes of plastic collected and recycled
- Livelihood and income changes
- Enterprise performance and job creation
- Community participation and behavior change
Learning will inform adaptive management and scaling.
Budget Overview
Major budget categories include:
- Waste collection and recycling infrastructure
- Capacity building and enterprise support
- Community engagement and awareness campaigns
- Project management and monitoring
A detailed budget will be developed during project inception.
Conclusion
Circular economy solutions provide a powerful pathway to address plastic waste challenges in rapidly urbanizing African cities. By combining inclusive waste management systems, enterprise development, and behavior change, this project will reduce plastic pollution while creating economic opportunities in Kenya and Nigeria. The proposed initiative offers a replicable and sustainable model for urban plastic waste management aligned with environmental protection, social inclusion, and green growth objectives.
