‘Zero Mika’: Moroccans Call for Action on Plastic Pollution, Survey Finds

Rabat – A nationwide survey shows that Moroccans are increasingly concerned about plastic waste, placing it as a higher priority than climate change in environmental debates.

The findings, which also explore awareness of the circular economy and sustainable practices, reflect a growing readiness to adopt eco-friendly behaviors while noting challenges in daily habits and waste managements systems.

Concern over plastic pollution

The study, conducted as part of the “SWITCH to Circular Economy Value Chains” initiative, gathered input from 1,013 citizens across six major regions in Morocco, including urban and rural areas. It aimed to assess the public’s perspective on waste management and explore opportunities for fostering sustainable practices.

The SWITCH2CE project, co-funded by the EU and Finland, is a global initiative aimed at fostering circular economy practices in plastic packaging, textiles, and electronics.

In Morocco, the program collaborates with the Coalition for Waste Valorization (COVAD) to support policy reforms and community engagement.

The results showed that 94% of respondents believe proper disposal of plastic waste is essential, with 70% expressing strong concern about its environmental impact. This broad awareness reflects an urgent call for effective measures to address the growing plastic pollution crisis.

National efforts to mitigate the problem

Morocco has already taken steps to reduce its plastic footprint. The National Strategy for Waste Reduction and Valorization (SNRVD) aims to recycle 70% of plastics by 2030, compared to just 25% in 2015. The 2013 introduction of an Ecotax on plastics—covering production, imports, and sales—has helped fund waste management initiatives.

More recently, legal reforms have extended producer responsibility, requiring businesses to manage the environmental costs of the waste their products generate.

In November, the World Bank approved a $250 million program to transform municipal waste management in Morocco. The initiative aims to drive critical reforms and investments to enhance the sector’s financial sustainability and environmental impact.

Key objectives include improving governance, boosting operational efficiency, and promoting sustainable business models, with a focus on rehabilitating uncontrolled dumpsites, upgrading landfills, and expanding recycling programs.

‘Circular economy’: a familiar concept, unknown label

Interestingly, while many Moroccans are unfamiliar with the term “circular economy,” their daily practices often align with its principles. For instance, 75% of damaged household appliances are repaired rather than discarded, and reusable packaging is commonly used in food takeaways, particularly in affluent households.

Despite these sustainable habits, challenges persist. The survey announced that 72% of respondents still rely on plastic bags during every shopping trip, despite the 2016 enactment of the “Zero Mika” law, which bans plastic bags.

This discrepancy between environmental awareness and daily behaviors underlines the need for more effective interventions.

Supporting ‘informal’ waste collectors

The informal sector is critical in Morocco’s recycling ecosystem, handling an estimated 90% of plastic waste recycling. These can include anyone who is self-employed and undocumented but contributing towards waste collection.

Public attitudes toward informal waste collectors were largely positive, with one in five respondents recognizing their contribution. Still, their formal integration remains a work in progress.

The SNRVD aims to formalize 50% of informal waste collection jobs by 2030. Achieving this goal will require careful coordination between municipalities, private stakeholders, and waste collectors to modernize and integrate existing systems.

Bridging the gap between awareness, action

The survey’s findings underline the need for tailored awareness campaigns that address Morocco’s diverse cultural and socioeconomic realities. While environmental consciousness is growing, translating it into consistent, sustainable practices remains a challenge.

Formalizing the role of waste collectors and reinforcing infrastructure for waste sorting and recycling could help Morocco transition more effectively toward a circular economy.

By combining grassroots efforts with policy innovation, the country has the potential to drastically reduce plastic waste and set a benchmark for sustainable development in the region.