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Join on Telegram Doha – The Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development has come under fire in recent days after its decision to allow the importation of over 2.5 million tons of old tires and household waste from European countries. The decision sparked a heated public debate and widespread criticism from environmental associations and opposition parties.
According to the Ministry, the importation of non-hazardous waste is a regulated practice meant to be recycled for waste energy or industrial recovery. Around 416 permits have been granted to companies to impose this practice since 2016.
However, in response to this decision, the North Morocco Environmental Assembly and the Solidarity and Cooperation Space in the Eastern Region issued a joint statement denouncing the waste import decision as contradictory to the Moroccan constitution’s guaranteed right to a healthy environment and the country’s laws and strategies for environmental protection and sustainable development.
The statement, signed by activist Mohamed Benata, coordinator of the North Morocco Environmental Assembly and president of the Solidarity and Cooperation Space, called on Minister Leila Benali to reverse the decision.
It pointed out that Morocco’s ability to recycle local waste does not exceed 10% of domestic production, and burning rubber tires for energy is an environmentally unfriendly method that contributes to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
Ministry’s response
In response to what it called “misleading and erroneous information” circulating in the media and on social media regarding the imported waste issue, the Ministry issued a statement on Tuesday aimed at clarifying the situation and reassuring the public.
They stated that the importation of non-hazardous waste is regulated by the provisions of the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes, which Morocco has signed and ratified.
It emphasized that the process is also governed by current legislative and regulatory texts, particularly Law 28-00 on waste management and disposal and its implementing regulations.
The Ministry stressed that Morocco focuses on importing from European countries known for their high-quality waste sorting and treatment systems, which ensures the imported product does not have a harmful impact on the environment or public health.
They also detailed the “rigorous and strict” administrative procedure for granting import permits, which requires companies to provide physical and chemical analysis documents, technical data sheets identifying the imported waste and its source, and obtain the opinion of relevant ministries regarding the field of use for the waste in question.
Furthermore, the statement highlighted the economic and social benefits of importing and recycling non-hazardous waste, describing it as a profitable and environmentally-friendly activity that strengthens the green and circular economy in Morocco.
It further claimed that waste recovery chains involve 13 areas with great potential for creating added value for the national economy, improving the trade balance, and providing over 9,500 direct and indirect jobs in the metal industry, with the goal of creating at least 60,000 jobs by 2030.
Citizen concerns: is Morocco turning into Europe’s dump?
However, the Ministry’s reassurances have done little to quell the anger and concern expressed by citizens and environmental groups.
As the controversy continues to rage, many are asking: Is Morocco turning into a dump for Europe’s toxic waste?
Looking towards the future, according to Benali’s Ministry, Morocco plans to import 970,896 tons of waste from France, 20,000 tons from Italy, 30,054 tons from Spain, 1.5 million tons from Britain, 60,000 tons from Sweden, and 100,000 tons from Norway.
The opposition and environmental organizations continue to criticize the operation and have called for the waste not to be incinerated on Moroccan soil. The Ministry of Environment has tried to reassure the public, but to no avail.
The issue is reminiscent of a similar controversy that erupted in 2016, when a 2,500-ton shipment of Italian plastic waste and tire scraps arrived at the port of Jorf Lasfar in El Jadida, prompting an outcry from local environmental associations and citizens on social media.
At the time, the government also attempted to justify the importation as a source of alternative fuel for cement plants, but failed to convince a skeptical public.
As Morocco was preparing to host the COP22 climate conference in Marrakech that November, the waste import scandal put the government in an awkward position and cast doubts on the country’s overall environmental commitments.
In response to this controversy, King Mohammed VI decided to dismiss Hakima El Haite from her position as Secretary of State in charge of the Environment under the Minister of Energy, Mines, Water and Environment.
Read also: Morocco Is 10th Largest Importer of EU Waste in 2021
