MOROCCO – Suez and the Azura Group have formalized two contractual agreements, each spanning six years, focusing on the establishment of two platforms dedicated to the transformation of organic waste into compost.
Boasting a collective capacity of 116,000 tonnes of organic waste annually, these platforms are slated to yield 42,000 tonnes of compost and 43,000 tonnes of semi-finished Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF).
This endeavor represents a concerted effort to tackle the challenges of a circular economy and resource preservation, aligning with the steadfast commitment of the Azura and Suez groups.
Against the backdrop of water scarcity, compost emerges as a crucial organic amendment, offering a viable solution to augment water retention and enhance soil quality.
Simultaneously, it addresses climate-related concerns by reintegrating carbon into the soil. Notably, the resulting compost will be marketed by a local collaborator to agricultural producers in the region, thereby generating value for the local territory.
The genesis of this contract can be traced back to the robust partnership initiated in 2020 between the Azura Group and Suez, revolving around the management and re-circularization of waste emanating from the Azura Group’s operations.
Hicham Harakat, the Chief Executive Officer of the Azura Group, underscored the organization’s unwavering commitment to sustainability and responsibility.
He highlighted the pivotal role of this collaboration with Suez in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, emphasizing the endorsement of such commitment through an agreement with the “science-based initiative” (SBTI).
The implementation of composting units for organic waste is poised to diminish the carbon footprint by an estimated 16,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent annually.
In response to this significant milestone, Benjamin Vauthier, General Managing Director of Suez in Morocco, lauded the burgeoning relationship with Azura, portraying it as a testament to the adeptness of Suez’s Moroccan teams.
This, he noted, exemplifies the continuous delivery of resilient, innovative, differentiated, and high-value-added solutions, ultimately mitigating the environmental impact of the partners’ activities.
Vauthier emphasized the local teams’ expertise as not only serving Azura but also contributing substantively to the economic growth of Morocco.
In a separate development, the European Investment Bank (EIB) has declared a novel initiative involving technical assistance aimed at enhancing organic waste management, treatment, and recovery services within the municipality of Chefchaouen in Morocco.
The noteworthy aspect of this pilot project lies in its potential for replication across other municipalities in Morocco and the broader region, as articulated by the Bank.
Aligned with Chefchaouen’s contemporary master plan, the aspiration is to elevate waste management services through this supportive endeavor, encompassing fresh investments, empowerment of local workforce capabilities, and the instigation of source-based sorting practices.
The EIB has elucidated that this infusion of both technical expertise and financial backing is poised to play a pivotal role in attaining not only local but also national environmental objectives.
The envisioned outcomes include a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and an amelioration in the quality of life for the municipality’s residents.
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