It all started when…
Eco-Lef is a public recovery and recycling system for packaging waste, delivered in partnership with the private sector and local authorities.
OBJECTIVES
• Reduce landfilling of packaging waste.
• Limit the negative impact resulting from the presence of packaging waste in nature.
• Promote the recycling and recovery of packaging waste.
THE PACKAGING TARGETED
Plastic and metal packaging (with a capacity greater than or equal to 100 ml):
• Bottles of soft drinks and water (PET)
• Detergent bottles and containers (PVC)
• Plastic films and bags (made of PP)
• Metal cans (aluminium and steel)
BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND LOCATION
General information on waste management:
Economic growth in Tunisia over the last few decades has led to strong urbanisation, impacting ecosystems and natural resources. To tackle this problem, Tunisia has progressively put in place an environmental protection policy, which has rapidly evolved into a policy of promoting sustainable development.
The quantity of household and similar waste produced annually is estimated at 2.8 million tonnes, with about 55,000 tons of packaging. Household waste is characterized by a high rate of organic matter (63%) and by a high rate of humidity varying between 65% and 70%.
General information on the territory:
• Location: the whole country is covered by this system
• Country: Tunisia
• Population: 11,972,623 inhabitants
In Tunisia, waste is a major problem for all stakeholders as well as for the general population.
Traditional waste management systems (where most waste is still landfilled) has caused a strong impact on the environment and resources. With several landfills reaching their end-of-life, and the construction of new landfills becoming very difficult due to the lack of potential sites and their rejection by the local inhabitants, the Tunisian Government has promoted sustainable waste management systems by structuring the waste sector around two major axes: reduction at source and waste recovery and recycling.
The annual quantity of packaging waste comprises 55,000 tonnes of plastics (11%), 44,000 tonnes of paper/cardboard (10%) and 100,000 tonnes of food packaging (or food cartons). Postconsumer packaging waste represents a significant problem in Tunisia. Discarded items such as plastic bottles (PET), yoghurt cups, flexible plastics, cans, and cartons could be commonly seen littering the roads and public spaces. Packaging waste is commonly sorted by informal waste pickers, directly from households, or in landfills.
Considering these quantities of recoverable waste, the issues of littering, and the potential for economic and social value, it was relevant to establish a national system such as “Eco-Lef” to implement a consistent national strategy. The establishment of Eco-Lef by the Tunisian government was an innovative initiative seeking to boost the recycling sector in Tunisia, which allowed developing the economy and creating jobs.
