Why Sustainable Packaging Matters: Insights from Silafrica’s Akshay Shah Ahead of COP30

In this section of the interview, Akshay Shah of Silafrica Kenya explains how sustainable packaging plays a central role in advancing global climate and circular economy goals ahead of COP30. He notes that while past COP conferences have been strong in raising awareness, implementation has lagged, making this year’s focus on action particularly significant. Within the packaging sector, Akshay highlights the importance of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) as a fair and transparent mechanism for shifting economies from a linear to a circular model by funding waste collection, sorting, and recycling, and by encouraging manufacturers to design recyclable, returnable and reusable packaging.

He then turns to Kenya’s progress in this transition, explaining that the region is not waiting for global treaties to act. Kenya has already introduced the plastic bag ban, supported the creation of KEPRO as the national Producer Responsibility Organisation, and enacted the Sustainable Waste Management Act. However, he points out that enforcement remains a major challenge, particularly at county level, and that the absence of operational Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) is holding back the entire circular system. Without MRFs, segregated waste cannot be properly sorted, recyclers struggle to access suitable material, and Kenya cannot fully realise its circular economy ambitions despite having the necessary legislation in place.