Kenya | “NO SUP USE” Campaign to Phase Out Problematic Single - Use Plastics in Hospitality and Tourism Sectors Launched

Kenya through its government in partnership with Environmental Development Partners has launched the “NO SUP USE” campaign to phase out problematic single - use plastics in the tourism and hospitality sectors, starting with an initiative to eliminate plastics in protected areas. 

Announced in Nairobi on 21st November 2025 during the 10th Annual Circular Economy Conference and No Waste Festival, which hosted the Kenya Plastics Pact Summit, the manual advances the 5 Rs through the principles of Refuse, Reduce, Replace, Reuse and Refill to accelerate a circular economy. 

The summit convened over 300 delegates and covered EPR and legislations, design in practice, plastic - free, Global Plastic Treaty and also a focus on Meetings, Incentive, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) sector.

This new initiative expands on previous, successful policies, such as the 2017 nationwide ban on single - use plastic bags, and the 2020 ban on single - use plastics in protected areas like national parks and beaches.

The government hopes this move will improve the environment, support ecotourism, create jobs, attract investment, and position Kenya as a green manufacturing hub. 

The effort involves bringing together stakeholders to collaborate on finding solutions and ensuring the initiative’s success, following on from the public support that helped make the plastic bag ban effective. 

Sustainable Inclusive Business Kenya’s Karin Boomsma said the priority is research - led identification of problematic items and design led circularity.

Kenya Plastics Pact chair Akshay Shah added that circularity could be a major economic driver, positioning Kenya as a green manufacturing hub, attracting investment, creating jobs and supporting eco – tourism, and called for clear definitions of problematic plastics and viable recycling under proper enforcement.

The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) through Dr. Ayub Macharia highlighted Extended Producer Responsibility, the role of wate pickers and private sector accountability across the value chain.

Link 
https://atta.travel/resource/kenya-to-phase-out-single-use-plastics-in-tourism.html