UNDP and European Union (EU) Open State-of-the-Art Plastic Recycling Plant in the Jordan Valley

The facility covers an area of 5,000 square meters and is strategically located to serve seven cities in the Jordan Valley, aiming to address the region's growing plastic waste problem. It supports Deir Alla, Shahabiil Bin Hasna, Muath Bin Jabal, Sweimeh, South Shuna, Tabuk Tafaher, and Maadi. Supported by the European Union, the new recycling center is funded by the "Decentralization, Accountability, and Integrity at the Local Level" (DAILL) program and is one of the key initiatives driving national green growth under Jordan's Economic Modernization Vision (EMV).

His Excellency Minister of Interior Mazen Faraya praised the strategic cooperation between the Ministry of Interior, the European Union, and the United Nations Development Programme in supporting strategic local development initiatives across Jordan in his opening remarks.

He emphasized that the Deir Alla Agricultural Plastic Recycling Plant marks an important step towards establishing a sustainable and profitable plastic waste management model in the Jordan Valley. By creating a local market for recycled materials, the facility is expected to create job opportunities, strengthen private sector involvement, and promote innovation in plastic reuse and processing.

Minister Al-Farrayeh also emphasized the important role of municipal authorities in raising awareness about responsible waste segregation and ensuring the effective transfer of plastic waste to factories. He went on to reaffirm the Ministry’s commitment to achieving integrated, community-driven development solutions to improve livelihoods and support Jordan’s green economy goals.

“This facility is an example of how we align local governance with the logic of capital investment.Randa Aboul-Hosn, Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme, said.Our goal is to make municipal authorities drivers of investment and sustainable development, rather than merely service providers.。”

The Deir Alaa Agricultural Plastic Recycling Plant has a building area of over 1,400 square meters and consists of several integrated components, including a main hangar, a covered canopy area for material handling, and a dedicated storage facility for raw materials and processed plastic materials. These components are optimized to support the sorting, cleaning, and conversion of plastic waste into reusable raw materials, thus diverting waste from landfills and reducing environmental harm.

During the event, the EU Ambassador to Jordan, Pierre-Christophe Chatzisavas, stated:Jordan can trust the European Union because it is stepping up efforts to improve waste management and reduce the impact of plastic pollution. In the Jordan Valley, this work will enhance agricultural productivity, and recycling plants will contribute to local development by creating job opportunities.。

This project also lays the groundwork for future public-private partnerships, providing the private sector with investment opportunities to sustainably operate the facility, as well as procuring sorted plastic waste for further processing and resale. Notably, local farms will also benefit, as the facility offers a formal channel for the shipment of plastic waste, transforming environmental hazards into economic opportunities. Currently, the market value of recycled plastic ranges from 120 to 250 Jordanian Dinars per ton, depending on the type and quality.

The success of this project depends on local ownership. The Deir Alla municipal government provided land for the facility, while local community-based organizations (CBOs) actively contributed to community engagement efforts. Women have played a key role in these efforts, particularly in the field of solid waste management, contributing to environmental sustainability and inclusive economic empowerment.

After the inauguration ceremony, the Minister of the Interior, the EU Ambassador, as well as representatives from the Development Programme, the city of Dera, and community organizations visited the facility. They observed the entire recycling process, from the collection and sorting of agricultural plastic waste to its transformation into reusable raw materials.