Morocco's Quest for Sustainable Waste Management Ahead of the 2030 World Cup

In the House of Representatives, a heated debate erupted as Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, Leila Benali, faced pointed questions from members of parliament. The topic? The government's waste management strategy for Moroccan cities as the nation prepares to host the 2030 World Cup.

Aicha Zelfi, a member of the opposition Socialist Union party, criticized the ministry's projects for their lack of "tangible results on the ground halfway through the government's term." She singled out the Guelmim Oued Noun region, highlighting its shortage of waste disposal sites, and pointed out similar issues in Tan Tan, Assa Zag, and Sidi Ifni.

"The minister's discussions of waste management projects suggest two distinct realities within Morocco," Zelfi remarked, her tone filled with disappointment. She described piles of garbage festering on the streets, emitting foul odors, and asked, "How long will you continue to assist local authorities in Guelmim-Oued Noun in establishing legal public landfills?"

The National Rally of Independents party echoed the concerns, stressing the need to streamline legal procedures for those struggling with waste management issues. They also raised the issue of industrial acceleration zones with waste management units that face customs duties when disposing of non-valuable waste.

Minister Benali acknowledged the complexities of waste management, stating, "The issue of waste disposal, whether random or regulated, is a challenging sector that can't be compared to others." She further explained, "This sector is relentless because if we don't identify the landfill project site from the beginning, it will be difficult to accomplish, especially since many communes disagree on the land for waste disposal."

Benali outlined the ministry's approach through the National Program for Household Waste, emphasizing that a one-size-fits-all solution wouldn't work. "We can't apply the Casablanca waste landfill model to smaller communes in regions like Guelmim Oued Noun or Draa Tafilalet," she said.

The upcoming 2030 World Cup has pushed Morocco to rethink its waste management strategies. The Minister spoke of a "new vision" that offers a different model, particularly for territorial communes that produce less than 50,000 tons and require more efficient technological solutions.

Mohammed Achrouro from the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) highlighted the need for collaboration between the Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development and the Ministry of Interior to address waste management in rural areas, which falls under the jurisdiction of territorial communes.

As the debate continued, one thing was clear: Morocco's quest for sustainable waste management is a complex journey, requiring innovative solutions, inter-ministerial cooperation, and a steadfast commitment to environmental stewardship. This is especially crucial as the nation prepares to take center stage during the 2030 World Cup.