Organic Waste

Addressing potentials for Organic Waste in the Circular Economy

Sustainable textiles through upscaling and commercialisation of banana fibre value addition in East Africa

Leave a Comment / Showcase Story / By SMEPSite

Uganda ranks among the top ten global producers and consumers of bananas and the highest in Africa, averaging 10 million tonnes annually. However, banana cultivation results in tonnes of post-harvest and processing waste. This Showcase Story highlights the BANATEX EA project which is valorising banana waste through natural fibre production, and assisting rural, marginalised communities in the process.

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Policy and Regulatory Environment for Enhancing Adoption of Resource Efficiency and Cleaner Production

Workshop Report / By Staci Warrington

The Kenyan National Cleaner Production Centre (KNCPC) hosted a workshop to discuss and align policies and regulations for scaling Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production (RECP) and membrane technology adoption in enterprises to mitigate pollution in the Nairobi River Basin. This Workshop Report provides an overview of the event as well as key outcomes in terms of policy and regulations.

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Butterfly Diagram: Mapping the SMEP Programme’s projects onto circular economy processes

Factsheet / By Staci Warrington

The butterfly diagram provides a comprehensive framework for circularity across sectors. Using this model, the SMEP Programme has mapped its projects in Africa and South Asia, showcasing how organic and technical material loops complement each other.

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Organic residues: A sustainable solution to plastic pollution and development

Leave a Comment / News post, Uncategorized / By SMEPSite

Good management of organic residues, a renewable resource, is often overlooked but constitutes a powerful tool to improve livelihoods and tackle plastic pollution. In Kenya, SMEP-supported organic waste projects are showcasing how circular economy principles can benefit communities. By transforming organic residues into valuable products, these initiatives create jobs, empower marginalised groups, and promote sustainable practices.

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Pineapple Farming Waste Management: A Case Study on Mananasi Fibre Ltd

Case Study / By Staci Warrington

This case study report provides an overview of pilot activity that has been undertaken by Mananasi Fibre at the Del Monte Pineapple Estate in Thika, Kenya, commencing in July 2023.

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Fashion with a peel: How crop waste is making sustainable textiles and creating jobs

Podcast / By Staci Warrington

For every banana or pineapple we eat, much of the plant is discarded during harvesting or processing. The UNCTAD Weekly Tradecast looks at how we can make sustainable fabrics and other materials recycled from agricultural waste with UN Trade and Development economist Henrique Pacini.

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Can cities in East Africa become Zero-Waste? An innovative partnership model shows a route to achieve this

Leave a Comment / News post, Uncategorized / By SMEPSite

A Kenya-based entrepreneurial partnership between TakaTaka Solutions and Chanzi Ltd – who launched a business model in response to the SMEP Programme grant funding opportunity – has contributed to the scaling of an impactful waste management business model from Kenya into Tanzania.

Can cities in East Africa become Zero-Waste? An innovative partnership model shows a route to achieve this Read More »

Sustainable Manufacturing and Environmental Pollution Programme