Here is Africa’s guide to effective EPR systems

October 19, 2025

Dear subscriber, this week’s newsletter represents the mix of topics we strive to cover in the circular economy. From finance (blended) to technology (how to recycle it) and policy — getting multiple countries on one regime. Regards, Mercy Maina

For a system of Extended Producer Responsibility to be effective across Africa, clear transnational guidelines are needed. The continent now has those. UNDP started to promote across Africa a Deposit Refund Scheme (DRS) for PET bottles that was created in the Seychelles. Since 2007, the initiative has diverted more than 400 million bottles.

  • The Seychelloise DRS makes consumers pay a small levy and earn refunds for beverage bottles, creating a self-sustaining EPR model that unites producers, consumers and government in circular responsibility.

  • For African countries facing low recycling rates and landfill dependence, the Seychelles model shows that a simple, well-governed EPR system can achieve high recovery rates and long-term financial sustainability.

  • Our take: With political goodwill and effective systems in place, Africa can operate sustainable initiatives that promote circularity… Read more (2 min)

As the continent embraces digital transformation, a new wave of “invisible waste,” such as smartwatches, is quietly emerging. For John Marvin Ayara, Coordinator of the Electronic Producers Responsibility Organisation of Kenya (EPROK), these small but growing waste streams represent the next frontier in responsible electronics management.

  • EPROK is Kenya's first and only electronic waste PRO. It works with producers, government agencies and other stakeholders to develop and implement effective Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) systems that ensure the safe collection, recycling and disposal of electronic waste.

  • In an interview, Mr Ayara says Kenya and other countries must adapt their policies and infrastructure to keep pace, ensuring that even the smallest gadgets are captured within circular systems that prioritise repair, recovery and traceability.

  • Find the full conversation here (2 min)

The City of Johannesburg is set to transform its waste management and energy generation with a $29 million grant from Dutch development finance institution Invest International for a WtE facility. The Alternative Waste Treatment Technology (AWTT) Project will process 500,000 tonnes of municipal waste annually and generate 28 MW of electricity.

  • The bulk of the $285 million AWTT Project cost will be financed by private-sector investment through a public-private partnership (PPP), combining equity and commercial debt with concessional funding and subsidies.

  • Blended finance is increasingly being used to support Africa’s waste-to-energy (WtE) sector, combining public, private, and concessional funding to de-risk projects and attract large-scale, sustainable circular infrastructure investments.

  • Our take: Blended finance is likely to remain a critical tool in scaling WtE projects and advancing sustainable urban development across the continent…Read more (2 min)

___________________

  South Africa unveils first harbour-based net recycling facility

Events

🗓️ Participate in the Nature and Circularity Week in South Africa (October 20)

🗓️ Network at the 3rd KEPRO Circular Packaging Conference in Kenya (October 21)

🗓️ Sign up for the South Africa Circular Summit (October 23)

Jobs

🧕 Advise on access to business finance at plastic project at Technoserve (Nigeria)

🧕 Drive plastic project personnel at Technoserve (Nigeria)

🧕 Work as a solid waste management practices intern at Habitat (Angola)

Various

🪧 South Africa’s Scrap recyclers call for investigation into anti-competitive pricing 

♻️ South Africa unveils first net recycling hub at V&A Waterfront

➕ Egypt extends single-use plastics circular economy project to 2027

💰 Afritech Network offers seed grants for circular research initiatives in Africa

🙏 20 green companies in Rwanda seek $3.6 million to boost circular food economy

🚒 Djibouti receives 28 new garbage trucks to enhance public sanitation

Seen on LinkedIn 

John Marvin Otieno, Coordinator of EPROK Kenya, says, “Let's transform e-waste from a discarded problem into a valuable resource pool. Together, we can unlock the potential of critical raw materials  within our electronics and build a truly circular economy.”