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Kenya’s bottled water tax cut sends the wrong environmental signal
While bottled water is not exclusively packaged in plastic, with some brands opting for glass containers, the reality is that it is predominantly sold in plastic bottles, making it a significant contributor to the country's growing plastic waste problem.
The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has issued a circular removing excise duty on bottled water. Consumers battling the high cost of living may welcome the prospect of lower prices, and policymakers may view it as a measure to ease economic pressure. However, beyond the immediate economic gains lies a bigger question: what does this decision mean for Kenya's fight against plastic pollution?
At a time when countries are taxing single-use plastics, promoting refill systems and encouraging circular economies, Kenya has chosen to make bottled water cheaper.
