Single-use plastics./FILE
The Kenya Plastics Pact (KPP) and WWF Kenya have announced the launch of a national campaign to phase out single-use plastics in Kenya’s hospitality and tourism industry.
The initiative, dubbed “No SUP Use”, will be unveiled during the 10th Annual Circular Economy Conference set for November 19–20 in Nairobi.
The event will bring together environmental agencies, regulators, and private sector players to accelerate efforts toward sustainable waste management and plastic reduction.
According to a joint statement, the campaign is a collaborative effort between KPP, WWF Kenya, the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), and the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA).
It aims to eliminate problematic and unnecessary single-use plastics (SUPs), particularly in the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) and hospitality sectors, which are among the biggest contributors to plastic waste.
The “No SUP Use” campaign will introduce a recognizable logo that participating businesses can display to signify their commitment to eliminating items listed on the KPP Elimination List.
These include disposable plastic cutlery, straws, stirrers, and all polystyrene packaging — products identified as major sources of pollution and contamination in recycling systems.
“Plastic pollution is a critical threat to Kenya’s natural heritage and economy, particularly in the tourism sector,” said Karin Boomsma, Project Director of the Kenya Plastics Pact.
Boomsma added that the campaign is designed to push businesses beyond basic compliance and encourage a shift toward sustainable practices.
“The ‘No SUP Use’ campaign will be a call to action for businesses to move beyond mere compliance and embrace the 5 Rs of Refuse, Reduce, Replace, Reuse, and Refill,” she said.
“By providing a clear elimination list and a visible commitment label, we are empowering businesses to become leaders in sustainability and giving consumers the power to choose plastic-free options.”
The hospitality and tourism industries are a key focus due to their heavy reliance on disposable plastics and their strong influence on consumer behavior.
Organisers believe that visible commitments by hotels, restaurants, and event venues can inspire broader public participation and drive rapid behavioral change across the country.
The initiative also seeks to strengthen the case for nationwide adoption of the KPP Elimination List, which has been developed with technical support from NEMA and KEBS.
During the launch at Nairobi Street Kitchen, participating organisations will be showcased, and a comprehensive Action Toolkit will be released to guide businesses through practical steps for eliminating single-use plastics from their operations.
KPP and its partners have urged all players in the hospitality and tourism sector to join the movement by committing to the elimination list and displaying the “No SUP Use” logo as a public declaration of their pledge.
Consumers are also being encouraged to support businesses that have made this commitment by looking out for the logo.
Registration for the upcoming Circular Economy Conference is open through the official website at circulareconomyafrica.org
