In the project, which is being worked on with various partners, a centre for recyclable materials is to be set up, among other things, in which various valuable waste materials, e.g. waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), can be collected. This will reduce the »wild« dumping of waste in landfills. Jobs could also be created and the processed raw materials marketed. The project is funded by the Free State of Bavaria through the Bavarian State Chancellery.
The Tunisian government plans to improve waste management in the state. In addition to the positive effects on the health of the population, the environment and tourism, the state hopes to create new jobs directly in the waste disposal and recycling industry, but also in related sectors such as mechanical engineering.

Strategies for waste collection, separation, treatment and recycling

To support the plans, Fraunhofer UMSICHT and its partners intend to support the Tunisian authorities by developing a model region for which strategies for waste collection, separation, treatment and recycling will be developed. In addition, a bilateral dialogue between Tunisian and European experts from business, science, administration and politics will ensure the necessary transfer of knowledge. On the Tunisian side, the Chamber of Commerce, tourism associations, universities, the informal sector, trade unions and religious communities, among others, are to be involved in the project. Knowledge about the different approaches to waste and resource management in the region is bundled and made accessible via the WtERT network.

Main problem: disposal costs

A major problem of Tunisian waste management is the disposal costs, which can currently only be covered with state aid. In the model region, this problem is to be addressed by collecting and recycling valuable material flows. Among other things, the EAG are suitable for this due to their potential for recyclable materials. The project partners are planning a recycling centre in the model region for the targeted collection of valuable waste. The employees of Fraunhofer UMSICHT will also design an implementation project in which economically interesting waste materials such as EAG can be treated by means of a recycling technology (iCycle) developed by Fraunhofer and valuable raw materials can be recovered.

Waste recycling creates jobs

By processing valuable waste on site, jobs are to be created with additional local added value through the sale of raw materials. Environmental damage caused by landfilling can be avoided directly. Due to the expected positive effects - e.g. from the collection and recycling of EAG - further waste streams are to be included in the waste recycling system in the model region in the future.
In addition to drawing up the technical concepts for the recycling centre and treatment plant, Fraunhofer UMSICHT, together with its partners, will seek financing options during the course of the project to enable the implementation project. In this context, the project opens up opportunities for Bavarian companies to invest and export environmental technologies.
The project consortium consists of Fraunhofer UMSICHT, WtERT Germany GmbH and em&s GmbH and is supported by the Bayerisches Landesamt für Umwelt, Technologietransfer Wasser (TTW). On the Tunisian side, the Ministry for Local Affairs and Environment (MINEAT) and the Agence Nationale de Gestion des Déchets (ANGed) will be involved as project partners. The project will run until the end of 2018.