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ENGINEERING GROUP

ISSN: 2455-488X DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.17352/jcees

Received: 19 February, 2024

Research Article Accepted: 01 March, 2024
Published: 02 March, 2024

Solid waste management *Corresponding author: Youssef Salama, Department

of Biology, Polydisciplinary Faculty of Khouribga, Uni-
versity Sultan Moulay Slimane, Khouribga, Morocco,

challenges and solutions: The E-mail: salama.youssef@gmail.com

ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2463-9090

case of the city of Khouribga Keywords: Household waste; Waste collection

systems; Waste disposal; Waste reduction strategies;

(Morocco) Waste management; Environment; Morocco

Copyright License: © 2024 Salama Y, et al. This is an

open-access article distributed under the terms of the
Youssef Salama1,2* and Mohammed Chennaoui2 Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits
unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any
1
Department of Biology, Polydisciplinary Faculty of Khouribga, University Sultan Moulay Slimane,
medium, provided the original author and source are
Khouribga, Morocco credited.
2
Laboratory of Life Science and Earth (SVT), Regional Centers for the Professions of Education and
https://www.peertechzpublications.org
Training (CRMEF), El Jadida, Morocco

Abstract
In Morocco, like in many developing countries, the management of solid waste, especially household solid waste, is a major concern. It is estimated that each person
generates an average of 0.67 kilograms of urban waste per day, while in rural areas, this figure is 0.3 kilograms per day. The collection of urban solid waste is regular and
almost daily, reaching approximately 5.5 million metric tons per year. The management of household waste is a major concern for all urban communities. The city of
Khouribga, like many other Moroccan cities, faces various environmental challenges such as air pollution, waste management, and preservation of natural resources. In
order to address these issues, it is essential to gather accurate and comprehensive information to develop effective and sustainable strategies. In this context, efforts are
being made to optimize and improve the collection of household solid waste in the urban municipality of Khouribga. This study has revealed the existence of technical and
social constraints that hinder the smooth operation of the current solid waste collection in this city. Therefore, the mobilization of the municipality, service providers, and
the population is necessary to overcome these challenges.

Introduction production of waste poses a threat to environmental quality

and living conditions, and the management of this solid waste
Since the early 1990s, environmental protection has has become the main concern for communities [3].
become a major collective concern [1]. The issue of waste
affects each individual on a daily basis, both professionally and Morocco is facing a continuous increase in the volume of
personally. Waste management is no longer simply a question waste generated, which can be explained not only by steady
of organizing and optimizing existing techniques, whose population growth but also by the evolution of production and
effects on the environment appear to be controlled. It is now consumption patterns, as well as improvements in the standard
perceived as a crucial environmental challenge, as well as an of living. The different types of waste include household
economic and management issue [2]. waste, non-hazardous industrial waste, specific waste, green
waste, hospital waste, construction waste, and waste related
Indeed, in recent years, the issue of waste has become to cleaning services. It is important to note that household
alarming, both in developed countries and in developing waste cannot be considered independently of its geographical
countries. The increase in the volume of municipal solid waste context, whether it be physical or social geography. Maximova
poses serious problems in urban areas. Population growth, [4] work focuses on analyzing the interface between what
improvement in per capita income, and economic activity levels could be called social systems (population, origin or social
have led to an increase in solid waste production. This high status, behavior) and waste (nature, production), as well

011

Citation: Salama Y, Chennaoui M (2024) Solid waste management challenges and solutions: The case of the city of Khouribga (Morocco). J Civil Eng Environ Sci
10(1): 011-020. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.17352/2455-488X.000078
 https://www.peertechzpublications.org/journals/journal-of-civil-engineering-and-environmental-sciences

as the consequences of this interface in space. Therefore, Public landfilling and burial of waste
waste management cannot be addressed without considering
Cleaning of roadways, sidewalks, drains, and public spaces,
the geographical dimension, which explains why each
as well as the transportation of the collected waste to the public
geographical region must develop its own waste management
landfill or transfer center and their disposal.
strategy. Morocco, a country considered to be developing, has
made significant progress in this field but still lags behind the The study explores solid waste management challenges
waste management systems found in developed countries. The in the City of Khouribga, Morocco, and proposes solutions.
adoption of successful concepts in some countries and their It analyzes household waste production and management,
adaptation to the Moroccan context have not resulted in much including responsible family members, collection methods,
progress in the sector or resolved the various problems faced timing, and frequency. The focus is on localized challenges and
by cities [2,5]. Consequently, municipal waste management solutions in waste management in Khouribga, highlighting
remains problematic for all communities. Often, there is a residents’ interest and education influence on waste recycling
reductionist analysis of waste-related issues, attributing them and disposal. The study aims to provide valuable insights and
solely to insufficient resources. recommendations for improving waste management practices
in the city of Khouribga.
However, household waste is a complex and diverse
subject with interdisciplinary factors at play [6]. While local Materials and methods
communities are responsible for managing household waste,
Study area
the effective functioning of the service largely depends on
the cooperation and compliance of citizens [7]. Therefore, The city of Khouribga, populated in the twenties thanks to
individual behavior as a contributing factor needs to be the discovery of phosphate deposits, is located in the center of
taken into consideration in all waste management strategies. the kingdom, 120 km southeast of the great Casablanca, and
That is why waste management issues are strongly linked is part of the Beni Mellal-Khenifra region (Figure 1). The area
to the perception of what waste is, and what it represents to of the city is around 25 km2 at an altitude of 800 m, with a
citizens in terms of environmental degradation risk and health semi-arid climate, and an average rainfall of 350 mm. The city
hazards. In fact, effective waste management is fundamentally of Khouribga is known for its mining activity considered to be
connected to the behavior of residents, how citizens dispose the most important phosphate production zone in the world.
of their waste, the collection methods used, the frequency at Socio-economically, it is a city that presents several points of
which they get rid of their waste, their adherence to waste resemblance to a large category of Moroccan cities [10].
bin placement and distribution in neighborhoods, as well as
Since its creation the population of the city has been
their participation in waste management operations. Thus,
in constant evolution, it currently has more than 172,000
the implementation of any strategy for household waste
inhabitants (High Commission for Planning of Morocco (HCP))
management must take into consideration the human factor,
distributed in 36 districts (Municipality of Khouribga).
and the success of waste management policies relies primarily
on citizen participation [8,9]. Figure 2 shows, the demographic projections for the
Khouribga residential area from 2014 to 2030 indicate a rising
In Khouribga, Morocco, waste management has been
trend in urban areas and a declining trend in rural areas. In
identified as one of the city’s priorities. The architects of
urban areas, the population increased from 376,496 to 400,943
the Plan for the city of Khouribga, which aims to strengthen people between 2014-2018, and from 424,656 to 430,329
regional cooperation and integration, have included it as people between 2022-2023, with a projected population of
a major issue in the environment chapter of the section 466,263 people in 2030. On the other hand, in rural areas, the
dedicated to sustainable development. Its importance has also population was 164,612 people in 2014, 157,060 people in 2018,
been recognized in the latest Action Plan for the management and decreased to 147,607 people in 2023, with an estimated
of the environment in the Khouribga region, which was signed 134,169 people in 2030. These data show a continuous growth
by the municipality of Khouribga in collaboration with private of the urban population and a decrease in the rural population
companies such as TECMED Morocco and OZONE Morocco. in the Khouribga region. This increase in urban population
These companies were responsible for implementing and will subsequently lead to increased consumption and a higher
executing an integrated plan to maintain the cleanliness of the production of waste.
city. This plan includes the following actions:
The study area climate is subhumid to semi-arid, influenced
Collection of households and similar waste, bulky by the Atlantic Ocean, with temperate winters and fairly hot
waste, wild waste, green waste, and rubble, as well as the summers; average temperatures vary between 11°C and 25°C;
transportation of the collected waste to the public landfill or average annual precipitation records values of 350 mm. The
transfer center and their disposal. city of Khouribga is ranked among the most densely populated
regions in the Kingdom (Figure 1), with a density of 117
Collection of garden waste using equipped trucks to allow, inhabitants per Km2, compared to a national average of around
if necessary, the incorporation of the resulting product into the 44 inhabitants per km2 [10]. The distribution of the population
overall tonnage of household waste. in the city of Khouribga is mentioned in Table 1.

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Citation: Salama Y, Chennaoui M (2024) Solid waste management challenges and solutions: The case of the city of Khouribga (Morocco). J Civil Eng Environ Sci
10(1): 011-020. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.17352/2455-488X.000078
 https://www.peertechzpublications.org/journals/journal-of-civil-engineering-and-environmental-sciences

Figure 1: Geographical location of the city of Khouribga.

vegetables and an abattoir. The city has two hospitals, including

a provincial hospital and a private one, the Multidisciplinary
Hospital Cheikh Zaid. It also has five dispensaries distributed in
different neighborhoods of the city, as well as over six private
clinics and more than 100 medical offices.

Waste Production in Khouribga

Until 2006, the municipality of Khouribga was responsible

for all waste and cleaning operations in the city. After that date,
the municipal council delegated waste management to private
companies, which until now have been handling all waste-
related operations. According to recent statistics, household
Figure 2: Population projections in the area of residence for Khouribga, 2014 to waste production in the city of Khouribga has increased
2030 (High Commission for Planning of Morocco (HCP)). from 30,000 tonnes in 2006 to over 73,000 tonnes in 2024.
This growth can be attributed to several factors, including
Table 1: General distribution of the population in the city of Khouribga (High population growth, improvement in living standards, and
Commission for Planning of Morocco (HCP)). changes in consumption patterns.
Population distribution Percentage

By sex and
Female sex 52.6% Waste collection method
Male sex 47.4%
age
Aged 18 and over 65.3% Since 2006, the municipality of Khouribga has delegated
Members of elected legislatures, directors, and the management of its household waste to private companies
19.9%
executives. (TECMED from 2006 to 2016, and currently the company
Employees. 13.6%
OZONE). This management method has spread to several
According Traders, commercial brokers, and financiers. 15.9%
Moroccan cities to help municipalities cope with the various
to occupation Workers and Farmers. 1%
problems related to this service, problems that exceed their
Artisans. 44.2%
Installation and machine operators and assembly-line
capacities.
5.4%
workers.
Waste collection in the city is mainly done collectively
using containers. There are 953 770-liter containers and 159
Figure 3 shows the distribution of industrial units in the 360-liter containers distributed throughout almost the entire
city of Khouribga, according to the Annual Survey of Industries city. These containers are divided into 8 collection sectors,
conducted by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The except for some peripheral areas where accessibility is an issue.
dominant economic activity in this city is mining, followed by In these peripheral regions, metal containers with a capacity of
trade and craftsmanship. 5m3 are used. The disposal of the household and similar waste
is carried out daily, from Monday to Friday, between 8 pm and
As the number of commercial units installed in the city of 2:30 am. Routes are planned according to a collection plan so
Khouribga exceeds 16,000, in addition to approximately 1,600 that the vehicles are loaded to their maximum capacity. The
street vendors, it also has a wholesale market for fruits and waste loaded into the vehicles is then directly transported to the

013

Citation: Salama Y, Chennaoui M (2024) Solid waste management challenges and solutions: The case of the city of Khouribga (Morocco). J Civil Eng Environ Sci
10(1): 011-020. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.17352/2455-488X.000078
 https://www.peertechzpublications.org/journals/journal-of-civil-engineering-and-environmental-sciences

public landfill without any intermediate stops or parking. The

various stages of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) management in
the Urban Commune of Khouribga (CUK) can be represented by
the diagram shown in Figure 4.

Conditions for conducting the survey

Questionnaire design: The choice of the survey method

through a questionnaire and how we operationalized different
concepts to construct our questionnaire led us to use the method
of self-administered online survey among a convenience
sample [9]. From the perspective of quantitative analysis, the
questionnaire seemed to be the most relevant tool for gathering
the necessary data to test our hypotheses. It was built based on
our literature review, as well as certain elements highlighted
in the qualitative exploratory study. The final version of the
questionnaire is structured according to the various dimensions
we aim to capture. In sequence, the questionnaire addresses
individuals’ attitudes toward waste sorting, their perception of
the local public administration, their motivation to sort waste,
and the frequency of their sorting behavior (Figure 5). Figure 5: Objectives and implementation of the survey for this study.

Sample size

Generally, marketing studies use an average sample size

of 200 [11]. In order to strike a balance between practical
constraints and study quality, a sample size of 350 individuals
or households was set. In the end, 439 responses were obtained,
out of which 344 were usable.

Analysis of specific values

Specific values include non-responses and how to

handle them, as well as all potential missing or aberrant
values. Considering the chosen method of administering the
questionnaire, we cannot quantify nonresponse refusal. In
fact, individuals were given the option to click on the link
Figure 3: Distribution of industrial units in the city of Khouribga.
to participate in the study or not. In our study, quantifiable
nonresponses refer to incomplete answers: an individual
clicked on the link, started answering the questionnaire,
but abandoned it before completion. Given the length of our
questionnaire, the rate of incomplete responses is relatively
high (around 28%). The LimeSurvey software allowed us to
record complete and incomplete responses to the questionnaire.
Thus, after removing incomplete responses, our final sample
consists of 344 households.

The survey administration mode on LimeSurvey prohibits

skipping to the next set of questions if the individual has not
answered all the questions displayed on the page. As a result, it
was impossible to validate a questionnaire without answering
all the questions, therefore there were no missing values (only
partially filled questionnaires, hence incomplete, as mentioned
above).

Results and Discussions

Production and management of household waste

The production and management of waste in households

Figure 4: Diagram of municipal solid waste (DSM) management in the city of are important aspects of daily life. It is essential to find
Khouribga.
014

Citation: Salama Y, Chennaoui M (2024) Solid waste management challenges and solutions: The case of the city of Khouribga (Morocco). J Civil Eng Environ Sci
10(1): 011-020. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.17352/2455-488X.000078
 https://www.peertechzpublications.org/journals/journal-of-civil-engineering-and-environmental-sciences

effective ways to reduce waste production and manage them

responsibly. That is why it is crucial to understand that every
household has a role to play in the efficient management of
waste, and these recommendations can help establish a solid
foundation for improved organization and management.

The results of the survey (Figure 6) reveal that in over

58.03% of households, the responsibility for waste management
primarily falls on the mother. Children are also involved to a
lesser extent, with a participation rate of 6.44%, in handling
waste collection and disposal. However, this practice of
entrusting waste disposal to children poses problems as the bins
are not easily accessible to them, resulting in the accumulation
of garbage around them. This situation highlights the need to
rethink our approach to household waste management. Figure 6: Family members are responsible for waste disposal.

It is essential to find solutions that allow all family members

to contribute effectively to this task, taking into account their
abilities and constraints. One possible solution could be to
install collection bins specifically designed for children at an
appropriate height and easily accessible, allowing them to
deposit waste without difficulty. Additionally, it is important
to raise awareness among all family members about the
importance of waste management and proper practices to
adopt [12].

However, a collective and cooperative approach to waste

management would not only help maintain a clean and healthy
environment but also promote environmental education
among children. By teaching them from a young age about the
significance of preserving the environment, we contribute to
shaping responsible individuals who are aware of the impact of
Figure 7: Waste collection methods in households.
their actions on the planet [13].

Approximately 60.32% of households use buckets as a

means of waste collection inside their homes, while 20.78%
use plastic bags and 15.8% use paper bags (Figure 7). It is
worth noting that these bags are not specifically purchased
by households for garbage collection but rather used from the
used bags they have after purchasing or acquiring other items.

The results also indicate that only 14.31% of households take

out their waste in the evening, 29.42% do it in the morning,
and 48.97% do it at random times (Figure 8). With regards to
the frequency of waste disposal, 53.66% of households do it
once a day, 15.92% do it twice a day, and 21.25% of households
dispose of their garbage more than twice a day. It is interesting
to note that 9.17% of households do not have a stable habit
regarding the schedule for taking out their trash (Figure 9).
Figure 8: Time of taking out household waste.
These values highlight the different waste management
practices within households. It is crucial to promote increased
awareness regarding the use of reusable bags and to strengthen be explained by the lack of resources and insufficient dedicated
proper waste collection and disposal habits to minimize their space for domestic waste management within households
environmental impact. These behaviors explain the issues [14,15]. Therefore, this aspect needs to be considered in any
faced by the waste collection company. Indeed, households proposal aiming to encourage source separation.

disposing of their garbage at different times than the collection

Problems with waste management in neighborhoods
period and repeatedly depositing trash disrupt the collection
operations, leading to the presence of waste around bins and the Effective management of household waste and street
formation of black spots in the city. These uncivil behaviors can waste is of crucial importance in ensuring the cleanliness of a
015

Citation: Salama Y, Chennaoui M (2024) Solid waste management challenges and solutions: The case of the city of Khouribga (Morocco). J Civil Eng Environ Sci
10(1): 011-020. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.17352/2455-488X.000078
 https://www.peertechzpublications.org/journals/journal-of-civil-engineering-and-environmental-sciences

neighborhood [16]. This study highlights the difficulties faced

by households regarding waste management beyond their
homes, as well as the problems experienced by neighborhoods
from residents’ perspective. The comfort of individuals is
considered a vital element in evaluating the performance of
local public service for household waste management. Factors
such as collection frequency, average distance to travel to
dispose of their waste, and satisfaction rate with the basic
collection service are taken into account.

According to the results obtained, it is revealing that 45.98%

of garbage bins are located within a distance of less than 100
meters from residential areas, while 27.63% are situated at a
distance of 100 meters. Additionally, 10.66% of the bins are
located at a distance greater than 100 meters, and 15.73% are Figure 9: Frequency of taking out household waste.
situated over 200 meters away (Figure 10). Despite the presence
of garbage bins in the neighborhoods, it is regrettable to note
that some households persist in depositing their trash on the
sidewalks. Several factors can explain such behavior, such as
the distance between the residences and the garbage bins [17],
as well as citizens’ indifference towards waste-related issues
and the lack of civic responsibility among certain individuals
[18]. Even though efforts have been made to facilitate waste
management by placing these bins in the vicinity, it appears
that their placement is not always ideal for all households.
Some residents may find themselves far from the bins, which
can discourage them from making the necessary trips to
dispose of their trash properly.

Moreover, the indifference of some citizens towards

environmental issues contributes to perpetuating the bad habit
Figure 10: Distance between waste bins and households.
of depositing trash on sidewalks [19,20]. Ignorance or lack of
awareness regarding the harmful consequences of this practice
can lead to irresponsible behavior. It is important to highlight
that this lack of civic responsibility is the result of a minority
of individuals, and the majority of the population properly
disposing of their waste by depositing it in designated bins.
However, it is essential to further educate citizens about the
importance of proper waste disposal and promote a culture
of environmental respect within society. The results indicate
that the majority of households claim to have no difficulty in
getting rid of their waste, except for garden waste, which poses
a problem for residents in certain neighborhoods, particularly
the OCP village neighborhood, due to the abundance of garden
spaces in their homes.

The conducted survey (Figure 11) shows that residents in

the neighborhoods report that 53.66% of waste-related issues
Figure 11: Waste management problems in neighborhoods.
are caused by a lack of available public waste bins. Additionally,
15.92% of residents claim that there are simply public waste
bins nonexistent in their neighborhood. Regarding waste These results confirm the observations made during various
management in the neighborhood, 21.25% of households feel tours conducted in all neighborhoods of the city. Indeed, we
that the collection schedules provided by the waste collection have noticed that all neighborhoods are equipped with waste
company are ineffective. Furthermore, 9.17% of households bins, but the collection frequency and distance between the
attribute these issues to uncivil behavior from residents, bins vary. In some densely populated areas, we have observed
such as moving the bins or dumping garbage next to the bins. that the waste overflows from the bins. Furthermore, in areas
Therefore, it is clear that various factors contribute to the where 5 m3 metal containers are used, the waste is often thrown
waste management problems in these neighborhoods. around the containers, creating black spots of dirt. Waste

016

Citation: Salama Y, Chennaoui M (2024) Solid waste management challenges and solutions: The case of the city of Khouribga (Morocco). J Civil Eng Environ Sci
10(1): 011-020. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.17352/2455-488X.000078
 https://www.peertechzpublications.org/journals/journal-of-civil-engineering-and-environmental-sciences

collection agents claim that some residents refuse to have a According to the results presented in Figures 12,13, it is
waste bin near their homes. As a result, they often try to move evident that citizens’ level of education does not guarantee
them away from their residence, which disrupts the collection a good understanding of recycling and waste sorting. In
points and complicates the work of the agents in this service. fact, between 43% and 52% of individuals with a high level
of education do not understand anything about this subject.
In addition, during our tours around the neighborhoods, we
These findings emphasize that education level cannot be
observed that construction waste is being discarded in existing
considered a reliable indicator of awareness and knowledge
empty spaces, sometimes mixed with gardening waste. These
concerning recycling and waste sorting [26,27]. It is essential
spaces are thus turning into small landfills, compromising
to implement more targeted and accessible initiatives to
the beauty of the city. It is important to note that the city of
inform and educate the entire population, regardless of their
Khouribga, like many other medium-sized cities in Morocco,
education level. While these figures may seem concerning,
is experiencing significant urban expansion. Therefore, it is
they also reveal a significant opportunity for improvement in
essential to establish a collection system that takes into account
environmental awareness initiatives [28,29].
these two types of waste, referred to as assimilated waste
(construction and gardening waste) [21]. All of this highlights One possible explanation is that the country’s integration in
the efforts that waste management authorities must put in to
this field is recent since the law regarding waste management
change these habits. This process may require resources and
and disposal in Morocco was only enacted in November
time if not taken into consideration right now.
2006 [30]. Some implementing decrees have been adopted
Interests of residents in waste management subsequently, while others are still being developed (SECEE).
Additionally, a National Program for Household and Similar
In this section of the survey, we asked questions aimed Waste Management (PNDM) has been developed in this regard,
at assessing the interest of residents in the field of waste with an estimated cost of approximately 40 billion Dirhams
management, in order to gauge their level of awareness (SECEE). This program aims to achieve its objectives in 2015.
regarding the risks associated with their waste. It is clear In order to generate public engagement towards a modern
that the vast majority of households are unaware of what
happens to their waste once it is thrown away. The results of
our survey also reveal that there is no correlation between the
level of education of citizens and their knowledge of waste
management. Even educated individuals do not appear to know
or be interested in the ultimate fate of the waste they produce.
These findings clearly highlight the ignorance of citizens
regarding the management of their waste and the problems
and dangers that arise from it.

Indeed, once the waste is removed from their homes,

it generates no interest or enthusiasm among individuals.
There is thus a clear correlation between the distance between
individuals and waste, as well as their perception of waste and
the associated risks [22]. The further away the waste is and the
more it is out of sight, the more it is minimized, along with the
risks associated with it [23]. This reality highlights the low level Figure 12: Impact of residents’ education on understanding the disposal process by
of concern expressed towards environmental issues and the private waste management companies.
social motivations associated with waste management. These
findings must be thoroughly considered when developing a
waste management policy.

Sorting is an inevitable concept in any effective waste

management strategy, and waste sorting at the source is
the cornerstone of successful management in terms of cost
optimization, safety, and environmental preservation [24,25].
However, at the national level, this concept is not yet widely
implemented, resulting in a lack of information or data that can
help establish a collection method adaptable to this concept.
This part of the survey provides insights into the residents’
level of knowledge regarding waste sorting and recycling, as
well as their potential engagement in a source sorting process.
Clarifications are given regarding the factors to consider for the
feasibility of source sorting and the adherence of households to
this management method. Figure 13: Impact of residents’ education on understanding the waste recycling
basics and benefits.
017

Citation: Salama Y, Chennaoui M (2024) Solid waste management challenges and solutions: The case of the city of Khouribga (Morocco). J Civil Eng Environ Sci
10(1): 011-020. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.17352/2455-488X.000078
 https://www.peertechzpublications.org/journals/journal-of-civil-engineering-and-environmental-sciences

collection system, we have included in our questionnaire simple Option 2: Recycling - At present, there is no organised
and accessible sections explaining the crucial importance programme for recycling in the city of Khouribga. Stakeholders
of waste sorting in waste management and environmental are now working on their own programme and objectives.
preservation. Once the explanations were provided, we Measures need to be taken to integrate the segregated efforts of
designed a questionnaire to determine their inclination to sort the individual stakeholders into a single recycling programme.
their waste and their willingness to financially contribute to As such, measures have to be taken from both short-term
the modernization of this sector.
and long-term perspectives. The aim for the short-term
Effectively, the implementation of a source-separation measures shall be to mobilise the stakeholders towards active
system requires significant efforts, even in the most advanced recyclable generators and enhance their participation. Long-
countries in this field [31,32]. Despite their limited knowledge term measures should aim toward increased diversion of waste
of waste sorting concepts, the citizens of Khouribga have for recycling, an efficient recyclable collection system, and an
demonstrated a willingness for change and cooperation. Waste organised end-market.
sorting is a behavior closely linked to personality and individual
values, which opens up the possibility of implementing source Option 3: Biological treatment/composting - Composting
separation at the household level, even though difficulties achieves the microbiological degradation of organic matter
may hinder its full adoption as a habit among citizens [33]. to produce a recycled organic product for use in agriculture,
On the other hand, additional studies demonstrate that some gardens, parks, etc. The technology of composting municipal
households benefit from their waste by selling leftover bread waste is well established, and there is much detailed
and glass or plastic bottles, particularly households residing information and operation experience. Even though the
in densely populated neighborhoods. These habits could be technology of composting MSWM is well established, only
reorganized through the introduction of a modern source- a few of the refuse composting plants around the world are
separation system adaptable to this context.
economically successful. The drawbacks commonly experienced

In the context of this approach, households were surveyed with composting are its high cost and low value of the compost
about the necessary means, according to their perspective, products. Subsequently, composting in the city of Khouribga
to facilitate source separation. The results of this survey has not been pursued as a solution to MSW disposal problems
revealed that the majority of households believe they need because of the following reasons:
a suitable container for this operation, which would not
take up too much space in their homes. They also suggested • The quality of the product depends on the waste it is
the provision of plastic bags according to their needs. These fed; therefore, waste separation is very important.
results highlight the possibility of improving collaboration
• A compost plant requires a large area.
and citizen involvement in waste management. To do so, it is
essential to raise awareness among residents about the risks
• There is a possibility of secondary pollution caused by
of improper waste management, as well as the significant role
the inclusion of heavy metals in waste. The product is
each household can play in this process. This awareness should
thus limited for use in horticulture and not at all for
reach all residents, regardless of their level of education or
agriculture.
income level.

Solutions for integrating municipal solid waste manage- • There is a lack of suitable markets for compost and a lack

ment in the city of Khouribga of economies of scale for quantities for the recyclable
market.
The implementation of a waste management hierarchy
approach in developed countries is very common. Some studies • Composting is not a complete solution since landfill
[34,35] discussed the successful implementation of the waste disposal would still be required for components of waste
management hierarchy for municipal solid waste management that are not suitable for composting.
(MSWM). The limitation of data and information for waste
management hierarchy in the city of Khouribga has placed a Option 4: Incineration - General observation indicates that
barrier for the city municipality to implement this approach. incineration may be feasible where landfill is scarce and pose
However, for long-term planning and management, the a threat to the aquifer or are remote from the actual MSW
municipality should consider a combination of the various generation centre. Modern incineration and flue gas cleaning
technologies to opt for an integrated approach. To indicate technologies make waste incineration an environmentally
this approach, the municipality of the city of Khouribga should acceptable option for waste treatment. It is possible to locate
consider the option of waste management hierarchy. In this such plants even in densely populated areas. Incineration has
case, several options will be highlighted below: played a role in MSWM for more than 5 years in many major
Japanese, European, and American cities. Despite the high
Option 1: Waste Reduction - Waste reduction can be achieved at
capital investment, expensive operation and maintenance
several levels, such as reduction of per capita waste generation
through public education and government policy initiatives. It costs as well as the need for environmental pollution measures
can also be helped by source separation of recyclable materials caused by emissions, the advantages of incineration outweigh
and separate collection for recycling purposes. the disadvantages, such as:

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Citation: Salama Y, Chennaoui M (2024) Solid waste management challenges and solutions: The case of the city of Khouribga (Morocco). J Civil Eng Environ Sci
10(1): 011-020. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.17352/2455-488X.000078
 https://www.peertechzpublications.org/journals/journal-of-civil-engineering-and-environmental-sciences

2. Dahchour A, Hajjaji SE. Management of solid waste in Morocco. Waste

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Citation: Salama Y, Chennaoui M (2024) Solid waste management challenges and solutions: The case of the city of Khouribga (Morocco). J Civil Eng Environ Sci
10(1): 011-020. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.17352/2455-488X.000078