Tunisia (TN)
North Africa's most Mediterranean country, Tunisia blends Carthaginian ruins, Saharan Desert, and French-influenced cafés with a warm, hospitable culture.
Recycling & Waste in Tunisia
Bin system, bottle deposits, special disposal, and common mistakes.
Tunisia's recycling and waste management infrastructure is developing but remains basic compared to EU standards. Municipal waste collection operates in cities (Agence Nationale de Gestion des Déchets — ANGED oversees the sector), but household separation and sorting are not systematically required or enforced. There is no deposit/return system for bottles and cans. Environmental awareness and waste reduction are growing, particularly among urban youth and NGOs. As an expat, the most practical approach is: separate organic waste, minimise single-use plastics, and use designated drop-off points where available.
The Bin System
General Household Waste
Green (standard municipal bins in most cities)Ordures Ménagères / Déchets Ménagers
- ✓All non-hazardous household waste
- ✓Food scraps and organic waste
- ✓Packaging (plastic, cardboard, metal)
- ✓General household items
- ✗Hazardous chemicals, paint, motor oil — take to ANGED collection point
- ✗Batteries — dedicated collection points (rare in Tunisia; ask ANGED)
- ✗Electronic/electrical waste — take to ANGED or licensed recycler
- ✗Medical waste (sharps, medications) — return to pharmacy
- ✗Construction rubble — separate contracted disposal
Paper & Cardboard (where available)
Blue (selective collection bins where deployed)Papier / Carton
- ✓Newspapers, magazines
- ✓Clean cardboard (flattened)
- ✓Office paper
- ✓Cardboard boxes
- ✗Food-soiled paper or cardboard
- ✗Waxed or laminated cardboard
- ✗Tissues or paper towels
Plastic & Metal Packaging (where available)
Yellow (selective collection bins where deployed)Emballages Plastiques et Métalliques
- ✓Plastic bottles and containers
- ✓Aluminium cans
- ✓Metal packaging
- ✓Rigid plastic packaging
- ✗Non-packaging plastics (toys, buckets, furniture)
- ✗Mixed or contaminated packaging
- ✗Styrofoam (polystyrène) — limited recycling capacity in Tunisia
Organic/Composting Waste
Brown (limited deployment in Tunisia)Déchets Organiques / Compost
- ✓Fruit and vegetable scraps
- ✓Coffee grounds and filters
- ✓Tea bags
- ✓Garden waste (small amounts)
- ✓Eggshells
- ✗Meat and fish
- ✗Oils and fats
- ✗Non-biodegradable items
No Deposit/Return System in Tunisia — Bottle Deposit System
Tunisia does not have a bottle deposit (consigne/caution) system for single-use plastic or aluminium containers. Plastic bottle littering is a significant environmental issue. Some NGOs and local initiatives run informal collection drives for plastic and glass bottles, particularly near tourist areas and beaches. International campaigns like "Beach Cleanup" events are active in La Marsa, Hammamet, and Djerba.
No deposit amounts applicable.
No systematic return system. For glass bottles: some Monoprix and Géant stores have informal glass collection points. NGOs organise periodic bottle-bank collection drives — follow ANGED and environmental NGOs on Facebook for collection event announcements.
Special Disposal
ANGED (Agence Nationale de Gestion des Déchets) runs collection points and periodic collection campaigns. Licensed electronics recyclers (éco-collecteurs agréés ANGED) operate in Tunis, Sfax, and Sousse. Some electronics retailers (Géant, Technopro) have drop-off bins for small electronics.
Includes: phones, computers, cables, chargers, batteries, small appliances. Do not put electronics in general waste — they contain hazardous materials.
Collection points exist at some supermarkets (Monoprix, Géant) and electronics stores. ANGED manages battery collection campaigns. Capacity is limited — ask at your local mairie or commune for the nearest collection point.
Car batteries: return to the mechanic or auto parts shop where you buy the new battery.
Return unused or expired medications to any pharmacie. Do not put medicines in household waste or flush down the drain. Pharmacies in Tunisia are obligated to accept returned medications.
Sharps (needles, lancets): place in a sealed hard container; return to pharmacy or polyclinique.
ANGED collection points for chemical waste (paint, solvents, motor oil, pesticides). Contact ANGED (anged.nat.tn) for nearest collection point and schedule. Do not pour down drains or into soil.
Motor oil: most garages and petrol stations accept used motor oil. Never mix with other waste.
Growing number of collection schemes operated by NGOs and local mairies, particularly in tourist areas. Some recycling companies collect for biodiesel production. Ask your local commune or check Facebook for collection initiatives in your area.
Never pour cooking oil down the drain — blocks sewers.
Several charities and associations collect used clothing via donation bins (bacs de collecte) in supermarket car parks and at mosques and churches. Search Facebook for "collecte vêtements Tunis" for current initiatives. Used clothing in good condition can also be donated to mosques and social associations directly.
Tunisia has a significant second-hand clothing (fripe) market culture — clean clothes in reasonable condition are actively valued by NGO and community collection schemes.
Bulk Waste
Large household items (furniture, appliances) can be disposed of by contacting your local Commune (municipality). In Tunis, the Municipality of Tunis operates a special collection service for bulky waste — contact your arrondissement office. Some private waste removal companies (camions de déchets) operate for large items at DT 30–80 per trip. Do not leave large items on the street without arrangement — it may result in a fine from the commune.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ! Burning household waste in the garden or on rooftops — illegal and a serious health and fire hazard. Contact your commune for waste collection if you are in a rural area.
- ! Littering on beaches and in medinas — hefty fines (DT 50–200) in tourist areas and national parks. Tunisia has been cracking down on visible littering in tourist zones.
- ! Disposing of batteries or electronics in general household waste — both are hazardous waste and ANGED handles them separately.
- ! Pouring motor oil or chemicals down sinks or into the garden — damages the water table and is an environmental offence.
- ! Ignoring plastic bag alternatives — Tunisia banned single-use plastic bags in supermarkets in 2019; bring reusable bags to shops.
Fines & Enforcement
Environmental violations carry fines under the Tunisian Code de l'Environnement. Public littering (especially in tourist zones): DT 50–200. Illegal dumping (dépôt sauvage): DT 200–5,000 depending on severity. Burning waste in unauthorised areas: DT 200–2,000. ANGED and local police (Garde Nationale) enforce environmental regulations with increasing activity in tourist and coastal areas.
Practical Tips
- → Follow ANGED (anged.nat.tn) on social media and their website for collection campaign announcements in your area.
- → Join local environmental NGOs (Réseau Associatif de Sensibilisation Environnementale — RASE, or Tunisia Green Line) to participate in beach cleanups and community recycling drives.
- → Bring reusable shopping bags — single-use plastic bags are banned in major supermarkets.
- → Compost kitchen scraps at home if you have a garden — supports your plants and reduces waste.
- → For building materials and renovation waste: hire a licensed waste removal contractor rather than dumping on the street or in vacant lots.
- → In tourist areas (Hammamet, Djerba, La Marsa): recycling bins are increasingly present alongside regular bins — use them.