LocationsThe country's journey documented through a UNDP-supported publication under the GEF-funded ISLANDS programme
Seychelles’ Success in Beating Plastic Pollution Showcased at Africa’s Circular Economy Annual Meeting
October 16, 2025
Mr. Joel Ayim Darkwah (UNDP RTA), Ms. Clara Mottura (UNDP Project Manager), Mr. Denis Matatiken (Secretary of the Environment, Seychelles Gov.) and Ms. Monette Nourice (ISLANDS Seychelles Project Manager)
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – 15 October 2025.
A new UNDP case study was launched during the Africa Circular Economy Alliance (ACEA) 2025 Annual Meeting highlighting how Seychelles has successfully implemented a national Deposit-Refund Scheme (DRS) for PET bottles - achieving a 90 percent collection rate and diverting over 400 million bottles from landfills and the natural environment.
The publication, titled “Beating Plastic Pollution: Key Insights and Lessons from Seychelles’ Deposit-Refund Scheme”, was launched during a side event of the ACEA meeting held under the theme “Continental Alignment for Circular Economy Transformation in Africa”.
For Small Island Developing States (SIDS), plastic pollution poses serious environmental, economic, and social challenges. Deposit-refund systems - where consumers pay a small deposit that is refunded when bottles are returned for recycling - offer a practical and sustainable way to address this issue. They help reduce plastic leakage, recover valuable materials, and provide long-term financing for waste management.
Seychelles is among the first countries in Africa to have introduced such a system at the national level. The new case study, jointly developed by UNDP, the Government of Seychelles in the context of the ISLANDS Indian Ocean Project, documents the country’s journey in designing and implementing the scheme, the challenges encountered, and the key factors that contributed to its success. It also provides valuable lessons for other island nations and African countries seeking to advance circular economy solutions.
“The Seychelles model proves that with clear planning, stakeholder engagement, and strong communication, small island economies can lead the way in advancing circular economy solutions,” said Mr. Denis Matatiken, Principal Secretary of the Environment Department and ISLANDS Seychelles Project Director. “Our experience shows that success is possible when the approach is simple, inclusive, and well coordinated.”
“The experience of Seychelles shows how an island nation can effectively tackle plastic pollution while advancing circular economy solutions,” said Charles Nyandiga, Regional Technical Lead for Environment at UNDP. “Through the ISLANDS Project, we are helping to replicate and scale up such successful models across other SIDS and beyond.”
The full case study is available here:
Beating Plastic Pollution: Key Insights and Lessons from Seychelles’ Deposit-Refund Scheme
About the ISLANDS Programme
The Implementing Sustainable Low and Non-Chemical Development in SIDS (ISLANDS) Programme is a Global Environment Facility (GEF)-funded and UNEP-led initiative, active in 33 Small Island Developing States across four regions. The ISLANDS Indian Ocean Project, implemented by UNDP, supports Comoros, Maldives, Mauritius, and Seychelles in strengthening the management of chemicals, waste, and plastic pollution through innovative, circular economy approaches. Learn more at gefislands.com
About UNDP
UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet. Learn more at undp.org.