Tunis, Tunisia

Context

Greater Tunis is the political, economic, and cultural hub of Tunisia. With more than 2.7 million residents, the region drives much of the country’s industry, commerce, and services. Rapid urban growth has increased demand for housing, transportation, and public services, while rising consumption and industrial activity contribute to growing volumes of municipal and industrial waste.

Waste collection and management systems face pressure from dense urban centres, informal settlements, and expanding suburbs. At the same time, Greater Tunis is advancing local plans to reduce landfill dependence, improve recycling infrastructure, and promote circular economy solutions that align with national policy frameworks on sustainability and resource efficiency.

Tunisia has developed national policies on waste and circular economy, including regulations on single‑use plastics and sustainable procurement. These policies guide local action in Greater Tunis and create a foundation for deeper systemic change.

Tunisia generates more than 2.5 million tonnes of municipal solid waste each year, with volumes rising by roughly 3% annually as cities grow.

Tunisia banned single‑use plastic bags in 2020, with enforcement strengthened from 2022.

The country has one of the region’s most established plastic collection and recycling value chains, supported by informal collectors, many in and around Tunis.

Tunisia’s National Waste Strategy aims to raise the recycling rate of household waste to around 20 % by 2035.

Recycling and treatment capacity for organics, construction waste, and e-waste remains limited compared to the volumes generated.

SWAP in Tunis

The GEF-funded Shifting to Zero Waste Against Pollution (SWAP) initiative supports Tunis in building an integrated waste system that strengthens planning, governance, financing, infrastructure, and market‑oriented circular solutions. The project helps the region align local waste plans with national policies on sustainability, procurement, and plastic reduction.

Planning

The project will develop a Regional Waste Management Plan and a Zero Waste Strategy for Greater Tunis based on assessments of institutional systems, financial structures, and waste flows across the four governorates. These plans will build on existing municipal waste plans and promote intermunicipal cooperation to improve services and strengthen circular economy approaches.

Capacity building

Capacity building programmes will train national and local decision‑makers on waste plan development, monitoring, international chemicals and waste conventions, and selection of appropriate waste treatment and recovery technologies. A cost calculation programme will support municipalities and governorates to better manage service costs, including collection, transportation, and sorting operations.

Policy and regulatory support

Local regulations on banning additional problematic single‑use plastics will be developed through consultations with households, businesses, and community groups. The project will also support drafting extended producer responsibility (EPR) regulations for construction and demolition waste, packaging, and electrical and electronic equipment.

Financing

The project will assess a subsidy system for compost‑based products to make them competitive with chemical fertilizers. The project will build partnerships with financial institutions to develop green finance products that support circular business models. A microfinance programme will support social cooperatives working on repairs, material recovery, sorting, and recycling.

Demonstrations

A deposit‑return scheme for plastic bottles will be demonstrated to strengthen existing recovery systems. Demonstrations will engage supermarkets and beverage brands to test practical models for reversing waste. Assessments will guide upscaling and feed into replication strategies.

Chemical phase‑out and eco‑design

Demonstrations will support industry in phasing out chemicals of concern in textiles and increasing packaging recyclability in partnership with standards organizations. Demonstrations on repair, reuse, and refurbishment of electrical and electronic equipment will involve manufacturers and local businesses.

Business and tourism

A zero‑waste programme in the tourism sector will guide hotels to minimize waste, reduce single‑use plastics, and adopt reuse and recycling practices. Green packaging standards will be defined to support more sustainable production across sectors.

Community engagement

Community and school initiatives will reinforce waste sorting at source and reduce waste generation. Selective sorting projects will be piloted in four zones, targeting households and schools. Awareness campaigns will promote composting to citizens and farmers.