Solid Waste Governance in Jordan

Managing solid waste in Jordan is no easy task. The sector is quite complex, primarily because of the diverse types of solid waste that need to be handled. As a result, many different entities are involved in solid waste management, each with their own area of expertise.

The waste management sector in Jordan is divided between the Ministry of Local Administration (MOLA) and the Ministry of Environment (MoEnv). MOLA is responsible for waste management infrastructure planning and investment and collaborates with Joint Service Councils (JSCs) at a project level. JSCs are managed under the supervision of a board of mayors from each municipality within the service area. Municipalities are responsible for waste collection within the municipality, while JSCs support the transport of waste over far distances and manage transfer stations and some recycling facilities. There are 18 JSCs serving 100 municipalities across Jordan’s 12 governorates.

MoEnv is responsible for ensuring the environmental sustainability of waste sector activities and plays a major role in the development of policy and legal frameworks governing the sector. This includes spreading awareness about recycling, reducing waste, and reuse potential. MoEnv is also responsible for managing hazardous waste and engaging with hazardous and industrial waste generators. The waste directorate of MoEnv oversees the operations of the Swaqa Hazardous Waste Landfill, coordinates medical waste management with the Ministry of Health, and has undertaken origination activities for industrial and agricultural wastewater treatment projects in order to protect the environment.

Apart from the entities mentioned earlier, other bodies are also responsible for solid waste management in specific regions in Jordan. For instance, the Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) is responsible for managing solid waste within the capital city’s jurisdiction, while the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) is accountable for the solid waste management of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone.

These entities operate independently and have their regulations, authorized by the Ministry of Local Affairs. However, a unique case exists in the Petra Development and Tourism Regional Authority (PDTRA), which is responsible for solid waste management within the Petra Development and Tourism Region (PDTR), including the Petra Archaeological Park (PAP). Unlike the GAM and ASEZA, the PDTRA does not have its regulations. Instead, it is governed by a “Commissioners Council” that directly reports to the Prime Minister. While the PDTRA’s solid waste management is subject to the regulations of the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Local Affairs, the Commissioners Council oversees its implementation.

In Jordan, the legal and regulatory framework that governs waste management is quite comprehensive. The Ministry of Local Affairs (MoLA) is responsible for most of the legislation, which includes various laws and regulations.

1. the Municipalities Law No. 13/2011;
2. the Joint Services Councils Regulation No. 75/2009;
3. the Supplies, Purchases, and Civil Works for Municipalities Regulation No. 70/2009; and
4. the Regulation for the Prevention of Health Nuisances No. 8/2014.

Added to that, the following MoENV legislative framework is in force:

1. the Environmental Protection Law No. 52/2006, providing legal tools for the management of environmental issues but not explicitly for SWM issues;
2. the Management of Solid Waste Regulation No. 27/2005;
3. the Management, Transportation and Handling of Harmful and Hazardous Substances Regulation No. 24/2005;
4. the Instruction for Hazardous Waste Management and Handling (2003); and
5. the Instructions for the Management of Solid Waste (2006).