Casablanca – Morocco has officially launched a new national initiative aimed at accelerating the transition toward a circular economy for plastics, with a particular focus on the food and beverage sector. The project, titled “Circular Solutions to Plastic Pollution in Morocco,” was unveiled in Rabat through a partnership involving the Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Supported by funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the initiative has a total budget of approximately $6.2 million. It forms part of the broader international “Plastic Reboot” program, which is being implemented across 15 countries to help reduce plastic waste and promote sustainable alternatives.

Addressing a growing environmental and economic challenge

Plastic pollution has become one of the most pressing environmental challenges facing Morocco and the wider Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The Mediterranean Sea, which borders Morocco, is considered one of the most heavily affected marine areas globally. On average, each person in the region contributes around 6 kilograms of plastic waste annually to marine environments, highlighting the scale of the issue.

Plastic waste has direct consequences not only for ecosystems but also for economic sectors linked to marine and coastal resources. Morocco’s blue economy, which includes tourism, fisheries, and maritime activities, loses an estimated $26 million annually due to plastic pollution. Coastal tourism accounts for approximately $13.6 million of these losses each year, while marine pollution also contributes to an estimated $8 million in annual losses in the fishing sector due to reduced productivity and ecosystem damage.

Tourism-related waste further compounds the problem, with visitors generating around 18,000 tonnes of waste annually, increasing pressure on waste management systems and adding approximately $900,000 in additional annual treatment costs.

Strategic importance of the plastics and food industries

Despite the environmental risks, the plastics sector remains a major component of Morocco’s industrial base. The industry supports approximately 75,000 direct jobs and more than 320,000 indirect jobs, reflecting its importance for employment and economic activity. In 2019, the sector generated revenues of about $2.3 billion.

However, Morocco’s plastics industry relies heavily on imported raw materials. Each year, approximately 680,000 tonnes of virgin plastic are imported, while only about 80,000 tonnes of recycled plastic are produced domestically. This means recycled plastic currently covers just 10.5% of total demand, highlighting the need to strengthen local recycling capacity and improve access to high-quality recycled materials.

The food and beverage sector is the largest consumer of plastic in Morocco, accounting for around 50% of total plastic use, mainly for packaging. This heavy reliance on plastic packaging makes the sector a key focus for reform, particularly as Morocco seeks to reduce dependence on imported materials and limit environmental damage.

Accelerating the transition to circular production models

The newly launched project aims to address these challenges by promoting circular economy practices that reduce plastic waste, encourage recycling, and support the development of sustainable alternatives.

One of the project’s main priorities is to help companies adopt circular production models that minimize waste and extend the lifecycle of materials. This includes promoting the reuse and recycling of plastics, supporting innovation in alternative packaging materials, and improving access to financing for companies transitioning to more sustainable production methods.

The initiative will also strengthen environmental standards, particularly regarding plastics used in food packaging. Ensuring that recycled plastics meet safety and quality requirements is essential to increasing their use in sensitive applications such as food and beverage packaging.

Another key objective is to enhance the private sector’s role in developing sustainable solutions. By supporting businesses, especially manufacturers and packaging companies, the project aims to encourage investment in circular technologies and environmentally responsible production processes.

Strengthening regulatory and institutional frameworks

Morocco has already taken several major steps to address plastic pollution as part of its National Strategy for Sustainable Development. One of the most significant measures was the introduction of Law 77-15, which banned plastic bags nationwide. This measure significantly reduced the use of single-use plastic bags and marked a major shift in environmental policy.

In addition, Morocco has strengthened waste management regulations by adopting the principle of extended producer responsibility, which requires producers to take greater responsibility for the environmental impact of their products.

Since 2013, the country has also implemented an eco-tax on plastic products, currently set at 1%, which generates approximately $25 million annually. These funds are used to support environmental protection programs, waste management improvements, and recycling initiatives.

The new project is expected to build on these existing policies by testing innovative regulatory approaches, encouraging public-private partnerships, and creating scalable solutions that can be replicated across different industries.

Economic opportunities and job creation

Beyond environmental protection, the transition toward a circular economy is expected to create new economic opportunities. The development of recycling infrastructure, alternative materials, and sustainable production technologies is likely to generate new jobs, particularly in green industries.

This shift could also strengthen Morocco’s industrial competitiveness by reducing dependence on imported plastic raw materials and improving resource efficiency. By increasing the use of locally produced recycled materials, Morocco can reduce costs, improve supply chain resilience, and support domestic manufacturing.

Positioning Morocco as a regional leader

The launch of the circular plastics initiative reflects Morocco’s broader strategy to position itself as a regional leader in environmental sustainability and green industrial development. The project aligns with international efforts to reduce plastic pollution and supports Morocco’s commitments to global environmental agreements.

By combining regulatory reforms, private sector engagement, and international cooperation, the initiative aims to create lasting structural changes in how plastics are produced, used, and recycled.

As implementation progresses, the project is expected to deliver measurable environmental benefits, strengthen industrial sustainability, and support Morocco’s transition toward a more resilient and circular economic model.