Morocco (MA)
Morocco is a gateway between Europe and Africa — a kingdom of extraordinary diversity combining ancient imperial cities (Marrakech, Fez, Meknes, Rabat), dramatic Atlas Mountain ranges, Sahara Desert dunes, Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines, and a growing cosmopolitan expat scene.
Recycling & Waste in Morocco
Bin system, bottle deposits, special disposal, and common mistakes.
Morocco's household waste management is significantly less formalised than Northern European systems. There is no mandatory household sorting system equivalent to France's tri sélectif or the selective collection systems used in other European countries. Most Moroccan cities collect mixed household waste (ordures ménagères) once or twice daily in urban areas. The plastic bag ban (Loi 77-15) has been in effect since 2016, reducing plastic bag usage at checkout. A national recycling framework exists (Programme National de Gestion des Déchets Ménagers — PNDM) but implementation at household level is limited. Informal waste pickers (récupérateurs / chiffonniers) play a crucial role in Morocco's actual recycling economy, collecting metals, cardboard, glass, and plastics from streets and commercial premises. Selective collection points exist at supermarkets and some residential compounds but are not universal.
The Bin System
General Waste Bin (Ordures Ménagères)
Green or black (varies by city and building)Poubelle des ordures ménagères
- ✓All household waste (mixed)
- ✓Food waste and organic matter
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Packaging materials (where no selective collection available)
- ✓Hygiene products
- ✓Broken glass (wrap carefully)
- ✗Construction/demolition debris (gravats)
- ✗Hazardous chemical waste
- ✗Medical/pharmaceutical waste
- ✗Batteries (should go to designated collection points)
- ✗Electronics (DEEE — should go to ECORECYC points)
Paper/Cardboard Bin
Blue (where available)Benne à papier/carton
- ✓Newspapers and magazines
- ✓Cardboard boxes (flattened)
- ✓Office paper
- ✓Paper bags
- ✗Wax-coated cardboard (e.g., pizza boxes with grease)
- ✗Plastic-coated paper
- ✗Wet or contaminated paper
Plastic/Metal Bin
Yellow (rare — found at some modern complexes and malls)Benne à plastique et métaux
- ✓Plastic bottles (eau minérale, sodas)
- ✓Metal cans (boîtes de conserve)
- ✓Rigid plastics
- ✗Soft plastics (plastic bags, cling wrap)
- ✗Styrofoam
- ✗Mixed materials packaging
Organic Waste Bin
Brown/Green (rare — very limited residential availability)Déchets organiques / compostage
- ✓Food scraps and vegetable peelings
- ✓Eggshells
- ✓Coffee grounds and tea leaves
- ✓Garden green waste
- ✗Meat and fish waste (attracts pests)
- ✗Cooked food with sauces
- ✗Dairy products
Special Disposal
ECORECYC collection points (ecorecyc.ma) — available at major electronics retailers (Marjane, Fnac, Carrefour) and some municipality points in Casablanca, Rabat, Marrakech, and Tangier. ECORECYC is Morocco's official DEEE take-back programme. Manufacturer take-back: some brands (Samsung, Apple resellers) accept old devices in-store.
Never put old phones, computers, TVs, or appliances in general waste — they contain toxic materials (lead, mercury, cadmium). ECORECYC is free for consumers — no charge to drop off electronics.
Dedicated battery collection bins at pharmacies, supermarkets (Carrefour, Marjane, Label'Vie), schools, and some petrol stations. ECORECYC also accepts batteries at their collection points.
Do not put batteries in general waste — toxic leakage risk. Car batteries: returned to garage or battery supplier — they accept old batteries for recycling and typically give a core charge credit.
Return unused or expired medications to any pharmacy (pharmacie). Pharmacies are legally required to accept medication returns for proper disposal. Do not flush medications down the toilet or throw in general waste.
Remove personal information from medication boxes before returning. Sharp objects (syringes, needles): ask your pharmacy for a sharps container (container for piqûres) — sharps must never go in general waste.
Garages and auto shops (garages mécaniques) accept used motor oil for recycling. Lubrication companies (Afriquia, Shell, Total Morocco) have collection programmes. Never pour motor oil down drains or into general waste — criminal offence and significant environmental damage.
Collect used oil in sealed container (original container if available). Used filters: dispose at garage along with oil change.
Notify your building bawab (caretaker) or syndic (building management) — they arrange collection with the municipality's bulk waste service. In some cities, the municipality collects bulk waste on scheduled days (ask your commune). Alternatively: donate via Facebook Marketplace, Avito.ma, or charity organisations (SOS Villages d'Enfants, Caritas). Construction/renovation debris (gravats): requires hiring a private skip (benne) from a waste company — municipality bins cannot accept construction waste.
Do not leave large items on pavements without arrangement — you may be fined for obstructing public space. Good condition furniture: post in "Casablanca/Rabat Dons" Facebook groups — usually collected within hours.
Glass bottle recycling points (bacs à verre) exist in some residential areas and supermarket car parks in major cities — particularly Casablanca and Rabat. Where unavailable, glass goes in general waste. Informal récupérateurs (waste pickers) also collect glass from commercial establishments.
Breaking glass into general waste bin: wrap carefully in newspaper first. Glass jars and bottles: rinse before recycling. Wine bottles from Marjane/Carrefour: no cash deposit return system — recycle at glass bins if available.
Some supermarkets (Carrefour) have cooking oil recycling points. Biodiesel producers (growing sector in Morocco) may collect from restaurants. Never pour cooking oil down drains — clogs pipes and pollutes water systems.
Collect used cooking oil in sealed plastic bottles. Biodiesel recycling points: growing but not universally available in 2026.
Bulk Waste
Bulk waste (encombrants) — furniture, appliances, mattresses: no scheduled nationwide curbside collection. Contact your commune/arrondissement for scheduled bulk waste collection days. Alternatively: building bawab can arrange. Donation: post on social media groups (Facebook "Casablanca Dons et Cadeaux"), Avito.ma free section. Old appliances: sometimes récupérateurs collect for metal value — leave outside building with a note.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ! Putting electronics (phones, laptops, TVs) in general waste — toxic and illegal; use ECORECYC points.
- ! Pouring motor oil or cooking oil down drains — significant plumbing and environmental damage.
- ! Throwing medications in general waste — return to pharmacy.
- ! Leaving construction/demolition debris next to general waste bins — must be collected by private skip hire.
- ! Putting batteries in general waste — toxic; use pharmacy/supermarket collection points.
- ! Burning waste in gardens or on terraces — illegal and generates toxic fumes; contact municipality for collection.
Fines & Enforcement
Fines for improper waste disposal in Morocco are codified but inconsistently enforced. Littering: 200–500 MAD fine (Loi 28-00 on Waste Management). Illegal dumping of industrial/construction waste: 10,000–100,000 MAD. Unlicensed burning of waste: criminal offence. In practice, urban enforcement is primarily through municipal inspectors (inspecteurs communaux) and environmental police in some cities. Casablanca has invested in waste management enforcement since 2019.
Practical Tips
- → Ask your building's bawab (caretaker) or syndic for the specific collection schedule and any building recycling rules — some modern buildings in Casablanca have organised selective collection.
- → Récupérateurs (informal waste pickers) actively collect cardboard, metal cans, glass, and scrap metal — leaving these materials separate and accessible assists their work and actually increases Morocco's recycling rate.
- → Supermarket glass bottle returns: Marjane, Carrefour, and Label'Vie sometimes have glass collection bins in car parks — use them for wine bottles and large glass containers.
- → Plastic bag ban: bring reusable bags (sacs réutilisables) when shopping — paper bags available in most supermarkets for a small fee.
- → For environmentally conscious expats: composting is an option if you have a garden, riad, or balcony — soil enrichment very effective in Morocco's dry climate.