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A multi-stakeholder, multi-sectoral approach to a circular plastic economy in Eastern Africa
Summary
Researchers examined multi-stakeholder efforts toward a circular plastic economy in East Africa through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with researchers, entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers. The study finds that collaborative synergy across sectors and digital innovations are critical enablers for overcoming barriers and changing consumer and producer attitudes in the transition away from single-use plastics.
In East Africa, several policy initiatives related to single-use plastic and extended producer responsibility have led to new opportunities, but also challenges, to the prospect of a circular plastic economy. This chapter examines the many threads held by researchers, entrepreneurs and industrialists, investors and policymakers, drawing from in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with key stakeholders. This chapter explicates the collaborative synergy of stakeholders across sectors that are playing a critical role in the transition to a circular plastic economy in East Africa. It also highlights the important contributions of digital innovations in lowering barriers and changing attitudes among consumers and producers alike.
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