Upon the completion of a successful first phase, the EU has renewed its commitment to support the Barcelona Convention in addressing marine litter, and particularly plastic pollution. Hence a second phase is underway, implemented by the UNEP/MAP system. This represents an important opportunity for MedWaves to keep providing assistance to a number of non-EU countries in terms of prevention of marine litter and plastic pollution.

The Centre is providing support in relation to the prevention of single-use plastic bags and the implementation of extended producers responsibility (EPR) in a number of countries, as it follows:

Activities on single-use plastic bags

• In Tunisia, a communication campaign on the ban decree on single-use plastic bags was conceived and tools produced, including: leaflets, posters, roll ups, video and caps. The official launch of the campaign was done on 11th May 2022 through a press conference in the premises of the Minister of Environment, and counted with the presence of the Minister and the EU Delegation in Tunisia. Prior to this, MedWaves engaged with 5 associations in the country to disseminate the communication materials in the field and conduct a survey with consumers and shops. These actions will be completed by early June and later on a webinar will be organised to inform on the results and produce policy recommendations based on the survey.

• In Lebanon, work has started in terms of scoping two scenarios: a tax system and a reward system. Work is ongoing through consultation with stakeholders to define such scenarios, which will be presented at a consultation workshop in the third semester of 2022. Based on this, and in agreement the with the Ministry of Environment, MedWaves will provide support in implemented the selected system.
• In Egypt, collaboration is ongoing with international organisations active in the topic of plastic bags, and more largely on plastic pollution. For that, the guidelines on plastic bags were promoted and other ad-hoc interventions shall take place.

Activities on extended producers responsibility (EPR)

• In Morocco, MedWaves is collaborating in drafting an EPR roadmap on PET plastic bottles (but also taking into consideration other packaging waste), through the EU-funded WES project. This roadmap will provide for concrete action in the short term. The Centre will provide assistance in implementing a number of them. This could include support in drafting a dedicated implementation decree, setting up a registry of producers, drafting contractual models to establish the relations among the different stakeholders, etc.
• In Algeria, the aim is to implement a pilot project a the Willaya, in order to test a voluntary EPR system by which producers would financially contribute to the collection of packaging waste, as well as improving the income of collectors.

Learn more about the EU-funded projects implemented by UNEP/MAP

Brochure available in

• EN: UNEP MAP Brochure on EU funded projects_EN
• FR: UNEP MAP Brochure on EU funded projects_FR
• SPA: UNEP MAP Brochure on EU funded projects_SP