Improving Municipal Solid Waste Management in Essaouira, Morocco
A Diagnostic and Strategic Assessment
A.G.V. Andries (TU Delft - Civil Engineering & Geosciences)
Aikaterini Varveri – Graduation committee member (TU Delft - Pavement Engineering)
Abraham T. Teklay Gebremariam – Graduation committee member (TU Delft - Resources & Recycling)
Francesco Maio – Graduation committee member (TU Delft - Resources & Recycling)
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Abstract
Municipal solid waste management (MSWM) is a critical challenge in many low- and middle-income countries, where rapid urbanization, limited institutional capacity, and resource constraints often lead to inefficient, environmentally harmful practices. This thesis investigates how the MSWM system of Essaouira, a mid-sized coastal city in Morocco, can transition from basic collection and disposal toward an integrated, circular model. The research follows a two-phase approach—diagnostic and strategic—combining literature review, fieldwork, stakeholder interviews, and key performance indicator (KPI) analysis tailored to local conditions.
The diagnostic phase revealed systemic inefficiencies across all stages of the MSWM chain. Waste is not separated at the source, public satisfaction with collection and cleanliness services is low, and the so-called “controlled” landfill operates under substandard conditions, closer to an open dump. Recycling and recovery activities are limited to informal and private actors, while legal enforcement and public awareness remain weak. All evaluated KPIs scored between poor and mediocre, underscoring the need for structural reform.
Building on this assessment, the strategic phase proposes a realistic, phased improvement plan. Core recommendations include piloting source separation programs to enable scaling, establishing a central Mechanical–Biological Treatment (MBT) facility at the planned Centre d’Enfouissement et de Valorisation (CEV), and rehabilitating the current landfill through compaction, covering, leachate treatment, and gas capture. Complementary decentralized initiatives—such as composting and micro-recycling hubs—are proposed to strengthen community engagement and employment. Governance reforms, including contractual KPIs, transparent monitoring, the inclusion of informal pickers, and the enforcement of environmental laws
form an essential enabling layer.
Together, these measures form a coherent pathway for Essaouira to evolve from reactive waste disposal toward a resilient, inclusive, and circular waste management system aligned with Morocco’s national sustainability goals.