Kenya continues to rely heavily on imported plastics, with the 2023 Economic Survey showing that 525,316.6 tonnes of plastics in primary and non-primary forms were brought into the country, down from 576,188.6 tonnes in 2021.
This volume forms part of the broader trend in which hundreds of thousands of tonnes of plastics are imported annually to meet domestic demand. Plastics imports peaked at 576,188.6 tonnes in 2021, before declining in 2022, reflecting shifts in trade and consumption patterns.
Imported plastics are widely used in packaging, manufacturing and other sectors, underscoring ongoing challenges in local production and waste management.