Marrakech is entering a new phase in its environmental policy with the launch of a tender for the sustainable management of green waste, under the auspices of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). This initiative falls within the framework of the “Marrakech, Sustainable City” program, led by the Department of Sustainable Development with technical and financial support from the UN agency.
The consultation call, launched on December 10, 2025, focuses on recruiting a specialized Technical Studies Office tasked with developing a master plan for the sustainable management of green waste from public green spaces and landscaping maintenance operations throughout the city.
The initiative aims to equip Marrakech, for the first time, with a structured and operational framework for the collection, sorting, recovery, and reuse of green waste, driven by environmental sustainability and good urban governance.
This initiative addresses a major challenge. At the national level, Morocco produces approximately 7.4 million tons of municipal waste annually, of which nearly 79% is generated in urban areas, averaging 0.76 kg per inhabitant per day. In the Marrakech-Safi region, the pressure on collection and treatment systems is particularly intense.
In Marrakech, daily waste production is estimated at between 800 and 900 tons, of which nearly 70% consists of organic materials, including a significant portion of green waste. In the absence of a dedicated strategy, these flows remain largely undervalued, impacting urban cleanliness, greenhouse gas emissions, soil quality, and water resources.
The expected master plan will propose appropriate technical and logistical solutions, aligned with international standards and sustainable development goals, to transform this waste into resources, particularly within a local circular economy perspective.
The UNDP specifies that this tender is conducted according to its guiding principles, based on transparency, fairness, open competition, and optimization of value for money, with clearly defined evaluation criteria to ensure rigorous selection.
Beyond this project, other consultations are ongoing within the “Marrakech, Sustainable City” program, particularly for strengthening institutional capacities and supporting rural cooperatives, reflecting a broader commitment to structuring environmental planning and enhancing local governance.
For residents, this tender marks an important step towards a cleaner, more resilient, and environmentally respectful city, at a time when waste management is becoming a central issue for urban quality of life.
