Source separation of non-hazardous solid waste represents a pivotal step toward transforming waste from an environmental burden into sustainable economic and social resources in Jordan, as part of the Kingdom’s efforts to promote a green economy and apply the principles of sustainable development.
اضافة اعلان
This approach aligns with the Economic Modernization Vision and the government’s commitment to improving resource-use efficiency, supporting local industries, and creating new job opportunities in local communities.
Experts have emphasized that source separation is one of the most important tools of integrated waste management, given its direct impact on reducing the volume of waste sent to landfills, improving recycling efficiency, and strengthening the circular economy. They also stressed its role in environmental protection and improving quality of life, underscoring the importance of integrated efforts among official institutions, the private sector, and local communities to ensure the success and sustainability of this system.
The Ministry of Environment’s spokesperson, Eng. Shorouq Abu Taleb, said that the 2025 Instructions on Environmental and Technical Requirements for Sorting Recyclable Materials from Non-Hazardous Solid Waste aim to strengthen Jordan’s waste management system and achieve integrated economic, social, and environmental outcomes.
She added that the instructions encourage private-sector investment in waste management and the adoption of circular economy concepts, reducing operating costs associated with waste collection, transportation, and sorting, improving the efficiency of financial resource utilization, and easing pressure on landfills by converting a large portion of waste into raw materials for manufacturing industries.
Abu Taleb explained that the instructions help create new job opportunities in sorting, recycling, and transportation, and assist in integrating informal-sector workers into a formal system by increasing the number of accredited service providers. She emphasized that improved waste management positively impacts quality of life and the tourism environment by reducing random dumping, improving air and water quality, and limiting waste accumulation in natural areas.
She noted that the instructions include strict oversight mechanisms, requiring producers of recyclable materials and service providers to submit all documents and records related to quantities, contracts, and receipts within no more than 30 days, in addition to submitting annual reports to the ministry. Compliance with the Environmental Information and Monitoring System is also required, including registration on the electronic platform and the preparation of approved waste management plans for follow-up and evaluation.
For his part, Dr. Mohammad Ayadat, CEO of the National Center for Environmental Justice, said that source separation is the cornerstone of successful recycling programs, as it ensures the separation of recyclable materials with high purity and increases their suitability for processing and reuse as secondary raw materials. He explained that downstream sorting at central facilities often leads to contamination of materials and reduces economic returns, making source separation an essential step for achieving efficiency and economic viability.
Ayadat pointed to successful international experiences, noting that countries such as Germany, Sweden, and South Korea have relied on mandatory source separation for decades, achieving recycling rates of 60–70% of total solid waste.
He stressed that source separation is not merely a regulatory measure, but an environmental, economic, and societal pillar, as it reduces the volume of waste sent to landfills, lowers greenhouse gas emissions, creates new job opportunities, and strengthens the circular economy by utilizing secondary materials and reducing reliance on imported raw materials.
Ayadat added that the new instructions provide a flexible legal and regulatory framework that allows for phased compliance based on the volume of waste generated, helping reduce transportation, storage, and processing costs and stimulating investment in recycling, while noting the need to develop clear financial incentives to support companies and citizens committed to recycling programs.
Environmental and social expert Eng. Nermin Abu Shawish said that source separation is the fundamental pillar for the success of the circular economy from both engineering and environmental perspectives, as it prevents cross-contamination between organic waste and recyclable materials and preserves their technical and market value.
She noted that organic waste constitutes approximately 50–60% of total municipal waste in Jordan, and that isolating it immediately ensures that other materials remain dry, clean, and recyclable with higher efficiency.
Abu Shawish explained that subsequent sorting of mixed waste requires significant energy and effort using specialized equipment or intensive labor, and often yields less accurate and more costly results. She emphasized that source separation reduces transportation and landfill costs, directs a large portion of waste directly to recycling plants, and increases the production of high-quality raw materials—such as paper and plastic bales—that support local manufacturing industries and enhance export opportunities.
She concluded that the success of the source separation system depends on the integration of efforts among government entities, the private sector, and local communities, achieving long-term positive impacts on the environment, economy, and society. This reflects Jordan’s commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and promoting a green economy, while developing local industries and improving quality of life in both urban and rural communities alike.
Petra – Rana Al-Nemrat
