The SMEP Programme

Indeed, Paris and Nairobi have a lot in common: The need to overhaul the management of the central waterway. The desire to bring rivers back to life. This need is very evident in the Nairobi Catchment. We are glad to be present today in Nairobi at a dialogue led by highly energetic Kenya National Cleaner Production Centre (KNCPC). Mapping and sampling of 225 industries (just 5%) confirm that the total industrial pollution load on the catchment is considerable. The workshop is highly interactive. Two case studies have been presented, including the hybrid membrane technology Effluent Treatment plant (ETP) that has been installed at Ultravites by Kanku Kenya. The ETP that Mr. Green Trading Africa Kenya Ltd. have installed, which incorporates aerobic digestion and settlement, before flocculation, coagulation and filtration was also reviewed. Financial models have been developed under this project, showing an argument to support commercial finance with appropriate instruments that can assist with de-risking and ROI enhancement. The level of debate today is intense and indicative of the importance of this issue to industy, environmental champions and regulators alike. Christian Mang'eli Eng. Christopher Gathini Suresh Patel Jane Bogonko-Nyakang'o (PhD)(MBA) Henrique Pacini Titus K. Glen Wilson Amanda Dinan Regina Irungu

Textile Exchange's most recent Materials Market Report (September 2024) highlights that, despite increasing innovation and global interest in textile-to-textile recycling, it still accounts for less than 1% of the global fiber market. These findings emphasize the importance of investing in and promoting the expansion of this industry to lessen the dependence on virgin synthetics (as aptly expressed by Textile Exchange's CEO in the quote below). The SMEP Programme is very proud to be funding Reverse Resources in their endeavour to create the demand for textile-to-textile recycling in Bangladesh and Pakistan (post-industrial and post-consumer textile waste). Their collaboration with Dr. Yasir Nawab, FHEA and the National Textile University in Pakistan is crucial in driving this change among local textile suppliers and recyclers. We are looking forward to engaging the project team on the outcomes of this relevant and timely conference. Nin Castle Mumit Hasan Marius Golden ------ "Unlocking textile-to-textile recycling pathways will be essential to reducing reliance on virgin synthetics. Equally important is continuing to support those on the ground who are driving the transition from conventional systems to preferred materials. It is more urgent than ever to support those who have already invested in preferred systems, while also enabling the transition away from conventional at scale." Claire Bergkamp, CEO, Textile Exchange -----

On Friday we had the pleasure of visiting the Rio Fish Ltd processing facility located in Magori Kenya. Rio Fish is an aggregator, buying from local fishermen and supporting small-scale cage farming through extension services and capacity building, distributing to markets and value adding. An important component of Rio Fish's extension work is empowering women to manage their own aquaculture enterprises - with a vibrant group established not far from Nyandhiwa, Lake Victoria. This initiative delivers many benefits including local food security, local economic empowerment and sustainable supply chain for Rio Fish who purchase at market prices from the farmers. Mercy Chepkirui leads the extension work and holds a number of technical portfolios at Rio Fish, also collaborating with Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI) OFFICIAL on a conservation initiative to breed the indigenous talapiine species (the Ngenge and Mbiru, which were once abundant in the lake before the artificial introduction of the Nile Perch). Kenya faces a significant fish scarcity, with supply meeting just over 30% of the demand. Overfishing, pollution, climate change, population growth, and lax enforcement of regulation on fish farming practices (which in themselves are polluting) are factors leading to stresses for fish stocks.  In partnership with KEPSA KENYA, SMEP has piloted the installation of a biogas digester at the Miguri processing plant. We are assessing the potential for this technology to address challenges for the fish processing industry - specifically organic waste management, sustainable solutions for energy (used for cooling processes) and waste water management solutions for the fish farming industry and overall sustainability. The fish farming sector is vital for Kenya and has seen rapid growth here and in neighbouring countries. With this expansion arises the question of fish feeds, since this constitutes a substantial expense for fish farmers in both semi-intensive and intensive culture systems. This demand contributes to the growing opportunity for Black Soldier Fly (BSF). Companies such as Chanzi are showing the technical and commercial viability of this solution for treatment of organic waste and as a valuable protein source for poultry, livestock and aquaculture. Back to the loop, BSF meal provides an alternative to the use of fishmeal thus addressing the increasing supply and demand tension for fish. We invite you to follow the link to learn more about the challenges relating to the fish feed sector in the Great Lakes region. https://lnkd.in/d4FWyetp Thanks to Denis Kiplagat of KEPSA, also Maria Durleva and Lorraine Dimairho Pictured 1) Rasira Beach Management Unit and aquaculture co-op prepare to launch, 2 Indigenous Tilapia breeding 3) Glen Wilson of UNCTAD guided at fish cages, 3 Nile Perch for market 4 Angela Juliana O. CEO of Rio Fish and 7 together with Mercy Chepkirui make and inspiring leadership team.

WWF Pakistan is leading a team to deliver pilot projects for the leather sector in Pakistan that address traceability, cleaner production and circularity. This project has been designed to include key stakeholders and facilities, with the objective of testing workable and effective solutions for the industry. The well-attended inception meeting held yesterday signals the project kick off of the ground! We look forward to working alongside WWF in this exciting initiative.

Very happy to officially kick-off another leather project with The SMEP Programme.

At the #WTO Public Forum 2024, a session discussed how trade can be a catalyst for circular and inclusive #textiles value chains. Covering interrelated aspects of both new garment production for exports and second-hand clothes trade, the session examined - through practitioners voices - which trade actions and innovations can lead producers and value chain operators to adopt better environmental governance across the value chain, from production to post-consumer stages. The session was organized by Kommerskollegium | National Board of Trade Sweden, UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and UN Environment Programme, with participation of Chatham House, H&M, and the National Textile University, a partner of The SMEP Programme. SMEP is funded by UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and implemented in partnership with UNCTAD. More info on the textiles session: https://lnkd.in/eyFep3TY SMEP Textiles project portfolio: https://lnkd.in/eiZVBt2a SMEP / WasteAid second-hand textiles project in Uganda: https://lnkd.in/eFeREzvc  UNEP used textiles project: https://lnkd.in/egpubm6p  Neil Swanson Dr Jack Barrie Elzette Henshilwood Graham Mott Michelle Wilson Nesli Almufti Jennifer Wang Heidi Cox mohamed abou iiana, Ph.D Anna Hallam Ali Sarfraz Hussain Staci Warrington Glen Wilson Maria Durleva Beatriz Fernandez

We hear so often the term “business case” relating to the investments into environmental performance. One area where this business case is unclear is the cost of water treatments facilities / effluent treatment plants. Many thanks to Ultravites East Africa Limited, who have implemented a hybrid membrane wastewater treatment facility pilot plant as part of the SMEP funded project led by the Kenya National Cleaner Production Centre (KNCPC). We caught up with the company today to gain insights into the operational benefits of this compact 50m3 capacity plant that has brought the company within comfortable bounds of NEMA compliance and enables it to meet the requirements of the ISO 9001 Quality Management System. Regina Irungu, Production Manager at Ultravites, highlighted several benefits relating Ultravites’ participation in the KNCPC-led project, including improved process efficiency, brand identity linked to enhanced environmental performance, and avoidance of the stress of non-compliance, which in Kenya may hold serious consequences including forced shut down. In balance sheet terms, these are intangible costs, but nevertheless concrete benefits. The project is extending this question of “business case” to develop a project appraisal model. Titus K. of Fintech Frontiers is building a model to factor operating and capital costs, including the cost of capital. The model is currently being stress tested in consultation with banks. What the calculations clearly show is that the cost of compliance may well be a deterrent for many polluting industries, and that policy interventions are clearly required to incentivise investments in this area. The financial modelling tool brings a tangible element to this policy engagement process. Pictured below 1) Amanda Dinan, Ultravites CEO Ngugi Muchane, KNCP's Steve Nyamori, Ultravites Production Manager Regina Onguru, 2) Edwin Ngai of Kanku Ltd shows final effluent treated, 3) Ashley Keitany (centre) the plant operations technician amidst her colleagues and 4) Dewatered sludge. Lorraine Dimairho Glen Wilson Jane Bogonko-Nyakang'o (PhD)(MBA)

Register now to secure your space: Africa Waste is Wealth Series Following the success of last year’s inaugural summit, convened by TakaTaka Ni Mali , we are excited to announce a partnership this year together with the ALN Kenya | Anjarwalla & Khanna, and the East African Business Council (EABC) for this year’s Series. The conference will bring together the region's key stakeholders, policymakers, businesses and industry leaders to showcase the region's achievements, support the proposed East African single-use plastics bill, discuss sustainable waste management approaches and a circular approach, strategies on a regional approach to EPR regulations and outline future steps for continued progress. Register now to secure you space in person or virtually: https://lnkd.in/dWvCA8Ty The SMEP Programme UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) rePurpose Global Henrique Pacini Carlotta Dal Lago Rosa Nduati-Mutero Davina Ngei #circulareconomy #zerowaste #EastAfrica

📣 BREAKING: UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs David Lammy’s recent declaration that action on the climate and nature crisis will be central to his work at the Foreign Office resonates with the ongoing The SMEP Programme, established by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) in 2019 and implemented in partnership with UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) until 2026. Through The SMEP Programme, the FCDO reaffirms its commitment to driving innovative solutions to tackle industrial #pollution in developing countries, targeting plastics, wastewater, organic waste, and more. Together, the UNCTAD-FCDO partnership is driving bold global responses to the #climate and #nature crises – turning commitments into impactful action, one innovative step at a time. #PollutionActionIsClimateAction 💡 Want to know more? https://smepprogramme.org/ Chantal Line Carpentier, Henrique Pacini, David Vivas Eugui, Glen Wilson, Tim Sumner, Gustavo Barreto

The ISWA2024 World Congress is here! This international conferences, hosted by ISWA International Solid Waste Association, is taking place in Cape Town, South Africa, and is being attended by a range of professionals, government representatives and NGOs operating in the solid waste sector. Be sure to connect with our SMEP representatives, Amanda Dinan, Lorraine Dimairho and Staci Warrington, as they attend various sessions throughout the three day conference from 16-18 September. The The SMEP Programme is also excited to announce the participation of Dr Atiq Zaman who will be presenting on Managing Economic Growth and Environmental Concerns in Recycling of Used-Lead Acid Batteries (ULAB) under the theme "Waste management law, governance and regulation". ⏰ Catch his presentation at 4pm today! 📚 Read more on the SMEP-funded ULAB project: https://lnkd.in/d5BNE3Qy 📑 UNCTAD report on Unified Policies, Healthier Journeys: https://lnkd.in/d322rc3H 🔎 See more on the ISWA World Congress 2024: https://iswa2024.org/