Kinshasa, 30 July 2026 – Greenpeace Africa, in collaboration with the Office of the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Environment, Sustainable Development and New Climate Economy, is convening a two-day multi-stakeholder consultation workshop to advance policy reforms aimed at tackling the growing plastic packaging pollution crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The workshop brings together representatives from government institutions, civil society, academia, the private sector and technical partners to develop concrete recommendations for strengthening the country’s legal and institutional framework on plastic packaging management.

Plastic pollution has become one of the DRC’s most pressing environmental challenges, particularly in Kinshasa, where plastic waste clogs drainage systems, worsens flooding, degrades ecosystems and threatens public health. Despite the adoption of regulations restricting certain plastic products, gaps in implementation, weak enforcement mechanisms and the absence of comprehensive producer responsibility continue to fuel the crisis.

Over the course of the workshop, participants will examine options to strengthen the existing legal framework, including the gradual phase-out of unnecessary single-use plastics, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), deposit-return systems for plastic bottles, environmental fiscal measures, and the promotion of refill and reuse systems as sustainable alternatives. The consultation will also produce technical recommendations for submission to the DRC government and lay the foundation for a stronger national policy on plastic pollution.

“Although the DRC adopted strict measures to ban single-use plastics in 2018, enforcement has remained weak due to numerous exemptions that undermine the effectiveness of the regulation. This workshop presents a critical opportunity for stakeholders to strengthen the law and ensure it delivers the level of environmental protection that Congolese citizens deserve.”

Prof. Georges Milumbu
 DRC Country Coordinator, Greenpeace Africa

Greenpeace Africa warns that plastic pollution has become far more than an environmental issue. It now poses serious risks to public health, urban resilience and sustainable development, particularly in rapidly growing cities such as Kinshasa.

“Single-use plastics are choking Kinshasa’s streets and poisoning its communities. Plastic waste is much more than a visual nuisance—it has intensified flooding over the years and is contaminating our food systems. Addressing this crisis requires bold political leadership and transformative solutions that go beyond waste management.”

Hellen Kahaso Dena
 Project Lead – Plastics Campaign, Greenpeace Africa

With plastic recycling rates in the DRC estimated at only 1–4%, the vast majority of plastic waste ends up in informal dumpsites, waterways and ultimately the Congo River. Greenpeace Africa believes that the country’s response must move beyond band-aid solutions towards preventing waste at the source through circular economy approaches that prioritise refill and reuse systems.

“To prevent waste, build a circular economy and create green jobs, the DRC must integrate refill and reuse systems into its national policies and regulatory frameworks. This shift will complement existing efforts while addressing plastic pollution at its source.”

Hellen Kahaso Dena
 Project Lead – Plastics Campaign, Greenpeace Africa

The workshop will conclude with a set of consensus-based recommendations developed jointly by participants to strengthen the existing anti-single-use plastic regulations and accelerate the country’s transition toward sustainable packaging systems. These recommendations are expected to guide future government action while reinforcing collaboration among public institutions, civil society, technical experts and the private sector.

**ENDS**

Contact:

Raphael Mavambu, Communication & Story-Telling Manager, [email protected], Greenpeace Africa