During a plenary session in Parliament on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, Environment Minister Habib Abid provided an overview of household waste management in Tunisia.
The minister said that although the ministry oversees 16 controlled landfills, about 20% of household waste remains uncollected and ends up in the streets.
Daily Collection of 7,600 Tons of Household Waste
Currently, the ministry manages 16 controlled landfill sites, handling about 7,600 tons of household waste daily. This volume peaks at 15,000 tons during certain times of the year, such as during Eid al-Adha.
According to Habib Abid, this intensive management effort addresses an urgent necessity as waste quantities continue to increase.
Challenges in Landfill Management and Community Resistance
The minister also emphasised challenges faced by the ministry in improving waste management, especially local communities’ resistance to new landfill sites.
In several regions across the country, residents oppose the installation of landfills near their lands, a widespread issue that hinders the necessary expansion of the waste collection system.
Goal: Transport 100% of Waste to Controlled Landfills
Habib Abid remarked that only 80% of household waste is transported to landfills, while the goal is to achieve full waste treatment. He noted that the remaining 20% of waste often ends up on the streets, creating public health and environmental management issues.
This uncollected portion represents a significant challenge for the ministry, which is considering solutions to strengthen collection efforts and improve waste management infrastructure in Tunisia.