Enhancing Sustainability in Waste Management in the Tunisian Cities of Sousse and Beni Khalled

In a pioneering partnership between Alwaleed Philanthropies "Global" and UN-Habitat Tunisia, the Waste Wise Cities initiative aims to transform waste management practices in the Tunisian cities of Sousse and Beni Khalled. This initiative promotes sustainable waste practices while empowering local communities, aligning environmental stewardship with economic empowerment.

At the core of the initiative is the goal of fostering “Waste Wise Cities” by reshaping local mindsets and behaviors toward waste management. Each municipality engages in tailored interventions with a focus on reducing environmental impact and enhancing socio-economic conditions.

Beni Khalled :

• The municipality is committed to the reduction, reuse, and recycling of citrus waste.
• A major component includes empowering women economically, recognizing their critical role in leading sustainable community transformation.

Sousse:

• The focus is on improving the conditions of informal waste collectors, known locally as Barbechas.
• Efforts include providing tools and support systems to improve their working environment and efficiency in collecting and sorting plastic waste.

2023 Achievements

Beni Khalled Municipality:

• Utilized UN-Habitat’s Waste Wise Cities Tool to collect data on municipal solid waste (MSW), enabling informed decision-making.
• Installed composting stations at the municipality and in two primary schools, promoting recycling and waste reduction at the grassroots level.
• Empowered 40 women artisans to transform citrus waste into creative recycled products. These efforts culminated in an exhibition celebrating their innovations and promoting environmental entrepreneurship.

Sousse Municipality:

• Conducted a needs assessment involving 1,500 informal waste collectors to identify their challenges.
• Used the assessment findings to guide sustainable waste management interventions with the potential for national scaling.
• Initiatives focused on worker safety, inclusion, and recognition are currently underway.

2024 Achievements

Beni Khalled Municipality:

• 43 artisan women received training in marketing and innovative reuse of citrus waste, enhancing both economic empowerment and sustainability.
• Composting stations were provided to the municipality and two primary schools to encourage recycling from an early age.

Sousse Municipality:

• Distributed safety gear to Barbechas, including gloves, boots, uniforms, and torches, significantly improving their sense of safety and dignity.
• The municipality welcomed waste collectors to the discussion table, where experts in psychology and ergonomics facilitated conversations on improving working conditions, reducing occupational risks, and elevating their social recognition.

The Waste Wise Cities initiative marks a critical step toward sustainable waste management and inclusive community development in Tunisia. Through multi-stakeholder collaboration and community engagement, it lays a strong foundation for a cleaner, greener, and more equitable future.