By Kevin Lunzalu
Charity may begin at home, but for many adults, the workplace is where we spend most of our waking hours. Whether in a large industrial facility or a modest farm, our working environments can become critical fronts in the fight against plastic pollution.
In Kenya, over 21 million people are employed in formal and informal sectors, occupying an estimated 37.4 million square feet of office space. These settings generate enormous amounts of plastic waste through packaging, disposable utensils, stationery, electronics, and other everyday items. Kenya already produces nearly a million metric tonnes of plastic waste annually, a figure projected to reach five million tonnes by 2030. The workplace, therefore, cannot be overlooked in strategies to reduce plastic use and transition to sustainable systems.
Plastics now pervade our bodies and environments. Microplastics have been detected in the lungs, bloodstream, placentas, and even the human brain. The places where we spend much of our lives are also places of constant exposure. While offices often contribute to high plastic consumption, they also present an opportunity to lead the change, from developing internal policies that reduce single-use plastics to promoting sustainable procurement and operations.
Different workplaces consume plastics differently. A plastic manufacturer will have a significantly larger footprint than a small, climate-smart farm. Still, every organisation has a role to play. Globally, businesses generate nearly 30 per cent of municipal waste, much of which is plastic. Recognising this, we must adopt a common but differentiated responsibility framework—where each workplace acts within its capacity, but all contribute to the broader goal.
The ongoing negotiations for a UN Global Plastics Treaty present an opportunity to enshrine a rights-based, lifecycle-wide approach to managing plastics. But for the treaty to be effective, it must not remain an abstract set of commitments. It needs to translate into action within the spaces where plastic is produced, used, and disposed of—especially the workplace.
Organisations can support the treaty’s objectives by first auditing their plastic footprints and adopting long-term reduction strategies. They can shift towards circular models that encourage reuse and minimise waste. Going digital can reduce reliance on plastic-based stationery and packaging. Greener supply chains, zero-plastic events, and partnerships with recyclers for proper e-waste disposal all move workplaces in the right direction. Even financing or engaging in the treaty process—through participation as observers or advocates—can reinforce the global push for change.
Kenya has already demonstrated leadership in banning plastic carrier bags. Extending this ambition into the workplace is a logical next step. Offices and institutions can serve as laboratories for sustainable practices, influencing not only their internal cultures but also broader policy outcomes.
Ultimately, the Global Plastics Treaty will only be as strong as the commitments and actions it inspires across all levels of society. If workplaces—across sectors and sizes—embrace their role, they can help ensure the treaty leads to real and lasting impact. The road to ending plastic pollution may be global, but it runs straight through our everyday workplaces.
Kevin Lunzalu is the Marine Project Officer at the East African Wild Life Society
