Amman, December 16 (Petra) – The Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) inaugurated its first "Recycling Banks" center in Tlaa Al Ali on Monday, a pioneering initiative under Jordan's recycling project supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

The Tlaa Al Ali center, spanning 3,000 square meters, will become operational by mid-2025. It adheres to international best practices in recycling commercial waste, processing separated materials such as plastics, paper, metals, and cardboard.

Recycling Banks are strategically located centers within Amman, such as in residential and commercial hubs, designed to collect sorted recyclable materials of market value. The program incentivizes waste producers ranging from individuals to businesses through point-based rewards or direct purchase schemes. This innovative model aims to replace traditional mixed waste collection methods with a more efficient sorting system that prevents recyclable materials from being discarded in landfills.

The "Recycling Banks" initiative is part of USAID's comprehensive program to promote recycling practices and bolster private-sector engagement for sustainable waste management. The project aligns with GAM’s strategic framework, adopted in 2022, to manage solid waste generated by the commercial sector more effectively.

During the event, Amman Mayor Yousef Shawarbeh emphasized the project's significance in enhancing waste recycling and fostering a cultural shift in how waste is managed.

Speaking alongside Minister of Environment Muawiyah Radaideh and USAID Deputy Director Christopher Steele, Shawarbeh highlighted the initiative’s economic, social, and environmental contributions to making Amman a sustainable and resilient city, aligned with the municipality’s strategic approach to solid waste management.

He underscored the collaboration between GAM, the Ministry of Environment, and USAID in implementing the "Recycling Banks" project, noting its role in reducing waste directed to the Ghabawi landfill while encouraging the private sector and local communities to actively participate in recycling efforts. These initiatives, he added, aim to build a more sustainable future for Amman.

Ahead of the center’s launch, GAM rolled out a community awareness campaign in Tlaa Al Ali to promote sorting waste at the source.

//Petra// AJ

16/12/2024 13:56:11