The Mediterannean Integrated Alliance on Waste for cities and citizens (MED-InA), a Mediterranean initiative for the reduction, re-use and recycling of waste which targeted the municipality of La Marsa, the initiative's national partner, was brought to a close on Thursday at a ceremony held at the Palais Essada in La Marsa.
The MED-InA project which kicked off in September 2019 and will officially end on August 31, 2023, proposes to develop and roll out a methodology for a «Zero Waste» public policy adapted to Mediterranean cities as an exemplary and participatory approach for waste reduction, reuse and recycling. It involves 5 countries, namely Tunisia, Spain, France, Jordan and Lebanon.
The MED-InA project proposes to transform municipalities waste management practices from «treating always more waste» to «treating less by preventing waste» through a focus on citizen behaviour change.
Testing pilots in selected neighbourhoods of La Marsa (Tunisia), Irbid (Jordan) and Ribera (Spain) were organised to show the commitments of public authorities in keeping cities clean.
A dedicated coaching service, as well as massive door-to-door campaigns and regular phone/email contacts, allowed a direct connection with citizens and local businesses in order to support them in reducing the production of waste that cannot be recycled nor reused.
In a statement to TAP, project coordinator in Tunisia and President of the MEGARA Sustainable Cities Network Larbi Ben Tlili said that the municipality of La Marsa had received funding of around pound 250,000 as part of the project.
He added that "in addition to the actions undertaken to raise the inhabitants' awareness of the importance of sorting and reducing waste, 1,000 selective sorting bins have been distributed to encourage them to take action. We are also planning to distribute 500 composters to raise awareness of the importance of recycling organic waste."
Ben Tlili also affirmed that his network is working to duplicate this initiative in other municipalities to improve waste management throughout the country.
Project manager at E3D-Environment, the lead partner in the MED-InA project, Melinda Choua indicated for her part, that the project had succeeded in mobilising around 2,113 people in the municipality of La Marsa through door-to-door campaigns.
Every 6 weeks, these people are contacted by telephone to assess their level of commitment and devise appropriate support strategies.
"We have also involved the town's shopkeepers in our actions and encouraged the development of economic activities associated with waste management. A whole ecosystem is beginning to emerge. We are beginning to see changes in behaviour towards sorting and recycling waste. In the municipality of La Marsa, 18 tonnes of waste have been recycled since the initiative began."
"MED-InA is based on a comprehensive approach that also covers energy, water and health management, and which aims to build the capacity of municipalities in all these areas. We hope that this experience can be replicated in other municipalities in the country," she concluded.
Taking the floor, Environment Minister Leila Chikhaoui pointed out that this project fits in perfectly with her department's National Strategy for Ecological Transition.
This strategy revolves around five key principles: Funding and governance of the energy transition, fight against climate change, preservation of natural resources, sustainable consumption and production and development of an environmental culture, she specified.
Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse