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Recycling Renaissance: Europe's Soaring Exports of Recyclable Materials to Morocco Reach Historic Highs
In a remarkable testament to the burgeoning recycling industry, the European Union (EU) nations have set a new record for exporting recyclable materials, including waste and scrap metal, to Morocco. Recent data from Eurostat shows that in 2023, EU countries shipped approximately 890,000 tonnes of these valuable raw materials to the North African kingdom, marking an unprecedented milestone in the bilateral trade of recyclables.
Leading the charge among European exporters are the Netherlands, standing out as the principal supplier to Morocco, with an impressive 213,000 tonnes of recyclable materials. Spain and France follow closely, contributing 143,000 tonnes and 95,000 tonnes, respectively. Conversely, Spain emerges as the primary importer of Moroccan recyclables, receiving over 87,000 tonnes in 2023.
This remarkable surge in trade has reached a historic pinnacle, surpassing all previous records since 2014, when a comparatively modest 346,000 tonnes were exported from Europe to Morocco. Similarly, 2022 witnessed a peak in imports, with Morocco supplying over 166,000 tonnes of recyclable materials to the EU, a stark contrast to the low point observed in 2020, when imports dipped to approximately 105,000 tonnes.
On a broader scale, European exports of recyclable materials to non-EU countries have soared by an astonishing 74% compared to 2004, totaling over 39 million tonnes in 2023. However, the EU's imports have decreased by 8.6% over the past two decades, settling at 39.8 million tonnes.
Metals constitute the bulk of European exports, accounting for approximately 21 million tonnes in 2023, representing more than half of the total exports. Paper and cardboard follow closely with 7 million tonnes, comprising 18% of the overall exports. Conversely, organic materials dominate the EU's imports, amounting to over 24 million tonnes, or 61% of total imports.
Turkey emerges as the primary destination for European recyclables, receiving a staggering 12 million tonnes in 2023. India, the United Kingdom, and Egypt follow suit, importing 5 million, 3.5 million, and 1.7 million tonnes, respectively.
Regarding the EU's imports of recyclable materials, Brazil stands as the leading supplier, providing nearly 10 million tonnes, trailed by Argentina, the United Kingdom, Ukraine, and the United States, each exporting over 2 million tonnes to Europe.
These trade flows, however, have sparked environmental concerns within Morocco. In 2022, the country imported more than 874,000 tonnes of European recyclable waste, a staggering volume that has raised questions among environmental activists and Moroccan parliamentarians.
A member of the Socialist Union of Popular Forces (USFP) party has sought explanations from the Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development regarding suspected "waste trafficking from Spain to Morocco." Ecological activists have voiced their apprehensions about the possibility of Morocco becoming a dumping ground for European waste, underscoring the need for transparent communication from authorities to allay these concerns.
As the global recycling industry continues to evolve, the unprecedented surge in exports of recyclable materials from Europe to Morocco represents a significant milestone. However, it also highlights the pressing need for vigilance and robust environmental safeguards to ensure that this burgeoning trade does not compromise the delicate ecological balance or undermine sustainable practices within both regions.