Jordan, French Agency Collaborate on Textile Waste Management Plan

In partnership with the French Development Agency and funded by the European Union, the government is formulating a comprehensive plan to manage textile waste produced by the country’s garment and textile factories.

The initiative, led by the Ministry of Investment and the Amman Chamber of Industry, includes the establishment of a committee to draft investment guidelines for the textile waste management sector. The plan is slated for completion by June next year.

The project is part of the Green Forward initiative, a regional effort addressing climate change by promoting sustainability across the Middle East and North Africa. It aims to advance the circular economy by integrating innovative strategies that foster sustainable growth, uniting policymakers, industry leaders, and environmental advocates to tackle pressing environmental challenges.

Key sectors targeted by the initiative include agriculture, textile production, and waste management, with a focus on aligning regional efforts with global sustainability goals while addressing country-specific challenges.

Marlen Bakalli, project director in Jordan, noted that the investment plan operates under the Green Forward project, supported by €4 million in European Union funding. The initiative spans eight Arab countries: Jordan, Palestine, Lebanon, Egypt, Libya, Algeria, Tunisia, and Morocco.

According to Bakalli, the project will provide tailored technical support to these countries, design programs based on their needs, and promote the green and circular economy. These efforts aim to boost economic opportunities, create jobs, and harmonize policies and regulations that support sustainable development within the green economy.

Bakalli urged the Jordanian government to establish policy frameworks to facilitate investments in the textile waste sector. These frameworks would guide decision-makers in adopting best practices to attract investors while supporting training and capacity-building initiatives.

The French Development Agency serves as the government’s technical advisor within the project. In November, the Ministry of Investment and the Amman Chamber of Industry convened a meeting with stakeholders to consolidate efforts and plans for the sector.

Lilly Formaleoni, regional manager for Jordan and Lebanon, emphasized that the plan would encompass all aspects of the textile waste sector. She highlighted the inclusion of evaluation tools to measure outcomes and ensure effective implementation.

Formaleoni also suggested the project might expand to include waste management for electric vehicle batteries and other sectors. The agency will support dialogue to help participating countries address climate change challenges by leveraging the green economy.

The Green Forward initiative embodies a shared vision for circular green sustainability across the Mediterranean, drawing inspiration from the European Green Deal. It aims to transform environmental challenges into opportunities for sustainable growth by fostering cooperation and transferring European expertise in green transformation to Middle Eastern and North African countries