Masaka Creamery Ltd, which is producing a variety of high-quality dairy products for consumers, is also in compliance with recent environmental regulations in Rwanda. The company started operations in 2016 in Special Economic Zone and produces dairy products including yogurt, fermented milk, fresh cream, butter, ghee, and other products, which are distributed in Kigali and throughout Rwanda’s other districts. The company, which has been S-MARK certified as a proof of high standards of food processing and safety, is also a socially-inclusive company in terms of employment. More than half of the 38 employees at the company are Deaf. According to leadership, the company has proven that persons living with disabilities can be as productive and capable as anyone. Julie Igiraneza, who works at the company says that the company is also environmentally sensitive and in compliance with government initiatives to protect the environment. While the government is in the process of phasing out single-use plastics, Masaka Creamery Ltd has obtained special authorization from the government to continue using single-use plastic packaging materials since dairy products are particularly sensitive. “Alternatives such as cardboard are not as sanitary as plastic, so we need to be extremely selective,” says Igiraneza. The company has a plan to transition to environment-friendly packaging materials within a two-year grace period that has been provided to factories, provided that a high standard for food safety can be maintained. Rwanda Environment Management Authority explains that whenever factories do not have alternatives, they are able to apply for special authorization to use what they have, according to the law N° 17/2019 of 10/08/2019 and related regulations. “Recognizing that there are exceptional cases where prohibited items may be required, the law under its article 4 provides for the possibility to apply a special authorization in according with the issued guidelines,” the law provides. The applicant for the permission is manufacturers of goods that require plastic material for packaging, an importer or manufacturer of home compostable single-use plastics and a user of single-use plastic items. Igiraneza said that they have obtained this special authorization. “Masaka Creamery Ltd is offering international standard dairy products in food-safe packaging. Our vision is to protect the environment, which is what we are striving for. Currently, we have special authorization to use plastics as we journey toward alternative packaging materials,” she said. The company, she said, was involved in discussions during the drafting period of the law on banning single-use plastics. “Authorities provided for us to share our views about plastics which is why we have a special authorization, and the discussion is ongoing. We are here to support any initiative tailored toward protecting the environment, consumers and continued economic growth.”
