World Bank funds innovative waste management program in Morocco

MOROCCO – The World Bank is set to approve a US$250 million financing package to transform Morocco’s municipal solid waste (MSW) sector.

This initiative, part of a broader push to address waste management’s growing environmental and fiscal challenges, is expected to help Morocco bolster governance, improve financial sustainability, and enhance the sector’s environmental performance.

As urbanization accelerates and consumption patterns shift, Morocco’s annual municipal solid waste production is rising, with an estimated 8.2 million tonnes produced in 2020.

Over 6 million tonnes of this come from urban areas, and with no significant waste reduction strategies in place, projections suggest the figure could reach 11.4 million tonnes by 2030.

This burgeoning waste crisis has prompted Morocco to seek innovative solutions to manage waste more efficiently, increase recycling, and promote sustainability.

The financing package will fund Morocco’s Municipal Solid Waste Management Program (MSWMP), an ambitious initiative that aligns with the National Household Waste Recovery Program (PNVDM). This initiative is designed to tackle the sector’s financial and environmental challenges.

The program spans from 2023 to 2034 and targets increasing the recycling rate of MSW from a mere 7% to 25% by 2034.

In addition to upgrading landfills and developing new waste recovery infrastructures, the program aims to close abandoned, uncontrolled sites, thereby improving environmental conditions across the country.

The program will be implemented through the Ministry of the Interior, with support from several key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development and local municipalities.

A significant element of this partnership is a memorandum of understanding signed with the cement industry. This agreement enables the use of waste-derived fuels in cement plants, which will help reduce disposal volumes while creating a viable recycling model.

The financing will be distributed over six years and is divided into three core areas.

In addition to funding, the World Bank will offer technical assistance to ensure the effective rollout of the program, which is expected to have a lasting impact on Morocco’s waste management practices.

Recently, SUEZ announced four new agreements in Morocco to optimize water resources and ensure sustainable waste management.

Due to population growth and climate change, Morocco faces growing water stress and waste management challenges. SUEZ is deepening its long-standing partnership with the Kingdom to support environmental sustainability.

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