Mohammedia – Marrakech has taken a new step in reshaping its environmental policy with the launch of a call for tenders aimed at improving the management of green waste across the city.
Announced on December 10, the initiative is being led by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) as part of the broader “Marrakech, Sustainable City” programme, in coordination with Morocco’s Department of Sustainable Development.
At the heart of the process is the recruitment of a specialized Technical Design Office tasked with developing a master plan for the sustainable management of green waste.
This includes waste generated from public parks, gardens, and landscaping activities—materials that are often overlooked in traditional waste systems despite their environmental impact and economic potential.
City authorities and international partners see the project as a response to mounting urban and climate pressures. As Marrakech continues to expand, the volume of organic and green waste has grown steadily, putting strain on existing collection and disposal systems.
The new master plan is expected to provide a structured, long-term framework that integrates green waste management into broader urban planning and environmental governance efforts.
The UNDP has stressed that the tender process will follow strict procurement standards, emphasizing transparency, fairness, and international competition.
According to the organization, these principles are designed to ensure that the selected proposal delivers the best value for money while aligning with the UN’s environmental and social objectives.
A growing waste challenge with environmental stakes
The urgency behind the initiative is underlined by the scale of waste production in Marrakech and across Morocco.
Nationally, municipal waste generation is estimated at around 7.4 million tonnes per year, with nearly 80% produced in urban areas. In Marrakech alone, daily waste volumes range between 800 and 900 tonnes.
What stands out is the high share of organic matter. Studies indicate that organic waste accounts for close to 70% of municipal waste in the city, a significant portion of which consists of green waste from public spaces.
Without proper treatment, these materials contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, soil and water pollution, and missed opportunities for composting and reuse.
Despite relatively efficient collection in urban areas, green waste management remains fragmented and largely informal.
The absence of a dedicated technical and logistical strategy has limited the city’s ability to recover value from these materials or integrate them into a circular economy model.
The master plan now being commissioned aims to change that. It will outline practical solutions for collection, sorting, treatment, and valorization of green waste, while identifying infrastructure needs and governance mechanisms.
The goal is to move beyond short-term fixes toward a system that is environmentally sound, economically viable, and aligned with international sustainability standards.
Beyond this specific tender, the UNDP is overseeing several parallel consultations in Morocco, ranging from capacity-building for rural cooperatives to urban rehabilitation projects under the “Marrakech, Sustainable City” programme.
Together, these initiatives reflect a broader push to strengthen institutional planning and environmental resilience at both local and national levels.
For Marrakech, the green waste master plan represents more than a technical exercise. It signals a strategic shift toward treating environmental management as a core pillar of urban development—one that balances growth, climate responsibility, and quality of life for residents.
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