Conflicts of interest and disagreements between the various actors involved in the waste management process make the environmental issue “a subject of conflict that gradually leads to confrontation”, according to the Department of Environmental and Climate Justice of the Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights (FTDES).
In its recently published bi-annual report on environmental justice, the FTDES stressed that both conflicts of interest and differences are likely to deepen the environmental crisis in Tunisia.
Speaking of “the divergent interests of the different actors”, the Forum explained that private companies in charge of managing controlled and semi-controlled landfills are putting pressure not only to maintain landfill methods, but also to delay the transition to waste recycling.
“Their aim is to profit from the uncontrolled transport of all waste. These companies are working to get the maximum amount of waste into landfills because their income is calculated on the volume of waste,” the Forum added.
For the organisation, the allocation of part of the waste management services to these companies through concessions granted by municipalities or the National Waste Management Agency (ANGED) reflects “the gradual move to privatise this sector.’
According to the same source, although the privatisation process is governed by precise legal frameworks and specifications, it remains the source of several problems and overruns that have affected the inhabitants of areas close to the landfills.
An official discourse at odds with the reality on the ground
In its report, the Forum also lamented the divergence of vision between the various stakeholders, including the authorities, the victims of pollution and civil society.
For the FTDES, the authorities’ strategy is based on the centralisation of waste management, the adoption of landfill technologies, the construction of landfills for the most vulnerable social groups, and increased police presence during social environmental protests.
On the other hand, vulnerable groups and civil society claim their right to a healthy environment. They called for the decentralisation of waste management and recycling.
Finally, the forum called on the authorities to take action on the environment in line with the slogans they defend and to focus on the fight against corruption.
Tunisia produces about 2.7 million tonnes of waste, according to ANGED.
The rate of waste production per inhabitant is more than 0.815 kg per day in urban areas and almost 0.250 kg in rural areas.
For the management of the waste, the municipalities contribute 40%.
For waste management, the municipalities contribute almost 40%.
Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse