Tunisia ranks as the third most environmentally polluted country in Africa, after Egypt and Algeria, with a pollution rate estimated at 75.12%, according to the Heinrich Böll Foundation.
A recent report by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) indicates that 20% of all plastic waste produced in Tunisia ends up in the Mediterranean, costing the national economy 58 million dinars (20 million dollars). While the lack of awareness campaigns and a clear, coherent national strategy to combat plastic use contributes significantly to the ecological crisis, the government is not solely to blame in this environmental battle.
Waste reduction under Madouri’s scrutiny
The National Strategy for Waste Reduction and Valorization was the focus of a small Cabinet meeting held on Monday at the Government Palace in Kasbah, chaired by Prime Minister Kamel Madouri.
Several strategic decisions were made during this meeting, including the launch of major projects outlined in the 2026-2030 development plan, in partnership with the Ministry of Interior, regional and local authorities, and the private sector, according to a statement from the Prime Ministry.
In this regard, it was decided to establish household waste treatment and valorization centers in Sfax, Djerba, Siliana, Mahdia, and Gafsa, as well as green centers for waste sorting and collection in municipalities.
Creation of organic waste composting units
In the same context, the cabinet meeting decreed the creation of organic waste composting units, biogas production units, and five projects for valorizing biogas from controlled landfills to inject biogas into the national distribution network.
The cabinet’s decisions also include the establishment of five units for the treatment and valorization of construction waste and the implementation of regulations requiring the use of a percentage of recycled materials in road and construction projects, the statement added.
Furthermore, the small Cabinet meeting advocated for strengthening international partnerships to leverage mechanisms and programs related to the environment and climate change, including UN funds for clean production and green cities.
It ordered the development of a guide for investors in waste management, in partnership with the General Authority for Public-Private Partnerships and the Ministry of Interior, and the updating of legislation to encourage the circular economy through tax incentives for companies engaged in recycling and the use of sustainable materials.
Pillars and objectives of the National Waste Valorization Strategy
At the legislative level, the cabinet called for expediting the adoption of a decree amending Government Decree No. 2020-32 of January 16, 2020, which specifies the types of plastic bags whose production, import, distribution, and possession are prohibited in the domestic market.
It was decided to enhance equipment to enable hospitals and healthcare facilities to sterilize medical waste before treatment and valorization, and to support the Tunis International Center for Environmental Technology to develop scientific and technological knowledge in waste management and valorization.
On this occasion, the Prime Minister emphasized the need to adopt an innovative and pragmatic approach to a national strategy for waste reduction and valorization, involving all relevant stakeholders and securing the necessary funding for its implementation.
For his part, the Minister of Environment provided an overview of the environmental challenges facing Tunisia, as well as the management of household, industrial, and medical waste.
He also outlined the pillars and objectives of the National Strategy for Waste Reduction and Valorization.
