A comprehensive review on solid waste management in Morocco: assessment, challenges and potential transition to a circular economy

Efficient solid waste management is vital for improving environmental quality and public health by reducing pollution, protecting ecosystems, and minimizing waste accumulation. In Morocco, solid waste is diverse, we mainly distinguish between household solid waste and industrial waste. The quantity of this waste reaches 26.8 million tons in 2015, and estimates are across 39 million tons in 2030. The average waste generation per capita is 0.6 kg per day, expected to rise to 0.85 kg by 2025. The recycling rate of household waste is very low, largely due to the informal sector. The rate rose from 6% in 2015 to 10% in 2020. 46.3% of metals are recycled, compared to 25% for plastic and 20% for paper and cardboard, the recycling rate for e-waste is still low. The budget devoted to PNDM is around 4.15 billion USD, of which 71.8% is allocated to investment and collection services, 14.6% of the budget is dedicated to the construction of landfills and their operation, 1.8% of the budget is dedicated to waste recovery, sorting, and recycling activities. Morocco’s reliance on imported fossil fuels has increased the demand for innovative energy solutions, prompting cities like Rabat, Oujda, and Fes to adopt biogas as a sustainable energy source to lower greenhouse gas emissions. Taxes related to the management of household waste only offset 25% of expenses in some municipalities. Indeed, municipalities in Morocco have only limited budgets. Companies are subject to taxes on industrial waste, which are utilized to offset the expenses associated with its management. Raising the recycling rate from 10 to 15% could save approximately 21.17 million USD. However, Several Moroccan cities have started programs for sorting household waste. The Moroccan government aims to increase the recycling rate and reduce solid waste reaching landfills, raise awareness of sorting, provide funds to municipalities, and apply charges against non-compliance with the law. Unfortunately, current waste management education is insufficient, and sorting is mainly informal at landfills, with only 9% of household waste processed at sorting centers. It is our firm belief that the engagement of the people of Morocco will be crucial in determining the outcome of this challenge. Citizens’ active participation is key to successful waste management. Indeed, sorting waste can greatly reduce landfill waste. Therefore, the amount of waste thrown into landfills can be reduced by 80% by adopting waste sorting methods at the municipal level. Morocco can improve waste management by learning from successful international initiatives, analyzing waste characteristics, adopting advanced packaging and sorting technologies, and increasing public awareness and community engagement. Thus, improving the quality of waste sorting would considerably reduce costs and allow recycling to proceed smoothly, which will undoubtedly facilitate the transition from a linear waste management model to a circular economy.