By Faridat Salifu With Agency Report
The Moroccan Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development has unveiled an ambitious roadmap to transition to a circular economy by 2030 In a bid to tackle the persistent challenge of solid waste management.
With an investment of 7 billion Moroccan dirhams (equivalent to nearly 648 million euros), the initiative aims to implement various projects across six key cities in the kingdom.
The Moroccan government’s vision revolves around positioning Morocco as a leading example of cleanliness through the adoption of circular economy practices in waste management.
The targeted cities include; Rabat, Casablanca, Tangier, Fez, Marrakech, and Agadir, all of which are set to host the 2030 World Cup concurrently with Morocco, Spain, and Portugal.
Key projects under the initiative entail selective waste collection operations, the establishment of waste recycling and recovery facilities.
It also involves extensive awareness campaigns to promote eco-friendly practices such as selective sorting and waste recovery, including composting, to mitigate pollution and reduce waste at its source.
Furthermore, as part of the circular economy transition, the Moroccan Ministry of Digital Transition and Sustainable Development, under the leadership of Leila Benali, is set to launch a groundbreaking programme to convert household and similar waste into RDF (Refuse Derived Fuel).
This initiative aims to produce 680,000 tonnes of biofuels for cement manufacturers, serving as a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels and reducing carbon dioxide emissions.
To support the household waste recovery programme in RDF, the Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development will allocate an additional 3 billion Moroccan dirhams (approximately €278 million).
A centralized entity, under government control, will oversee the initiative, tasked with implementing the national waste management strategy, providing support to local authorities, and enforcing regulations.
In tandem with these efforts, Mohammed VI’s government plans to introduce Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) to enhance the management of industrial waste.
This approach will compel producers to consider environmental considerations throughout the production chain and take responsibility for managing the waste generated by their products, further advancing Morocco’s circular economy agenda.