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Waste Management in Jordan: Moving Towards a Circular Economy

How can Jordan reduce landfill waste and recover more valuable resources? Ayman Elnaas explains how infrastructure, expertise and strong partnerships work together.

by Ayman Elnaas

Interview with Ayman Elnaas

CDM Smith

What are the objectives of the waste management programme in Jordan?

Ayman Elnaas

The program supports Jordan’s transition to a circular economy by integrating technical, institutional and organisational measures. To achieve this, two complementary projects are being implemented in partnership with KfW and GIZ. A key component is the construction of a Mechanical Biological Treatment (MBT) facility with a processing capacity of approximately 294 tonnes per day. In parallel, the programme strengthens municipal structures, monitoring and governance systems, as well as source-separated waste collection. The goal is to establish the conditions for a high-performing, resource-efficient waste management system and to ensure that infrastructure investments are sustainably integrated into municipal operations.

CDM Smith

What role does the new MBT facility play in the transition to a circular economy?

Ayman Elnaas

The MBT facility is one of the programme's key components. Through mechanical sorting and biological treatment, valuable materials can be recovered while substantially reducing the volume of waste sent to landfill. In addition, the facility improves the quality of recyclable material streams and lays the foundation for the further development of local recycling and recovery markets. As such, it plays an important role in shifting waste management from a predominantly disposal-oriented approach toward a resource-oriented circular economy model.

CDM Smith

What economic and social benefits does the program provide?

Ayman Elnaas

The programme creates employment opportunities across the entire waste management value chain. These include jobs in sorting, recycling, materials marketing and facility operations. At the same time, the programme creates new opportunities for private-sector companies operating in the recycling industry.

CDM Smith

How long will the projects run?

Ayman Elnaas

The MBT project began in October 2023 and is expected to continue until 2029 or 2030. This includes both the construction phase and three years of operational support and performance monitoring. The complementary GIZ-supported project started in 2022 and will run through 2026. Its focus is on policy development, institutional capacity building and the introduction of monitoring and performance management systems.

CDM Smith

What is CDM Smith’s role in the projects?

Ayman Elnaas

CDM Smith supports both projects throughout their lifecycle, from planning and design to implementation and long-term operation. For the MBT project, our services include planning, detailed design, procurement support, construction supervision, operational support and training for municipal staff. Within the GIZ-supported project, CDM Smith assists with strategy updates, capacity building initiatives, the development of monitoring systems and pilot projects for source separation and composting.

CDM Smith

How does CDM Smith help ensure the facility can operate efficiently over the long term?

Ayman Elnaas

Long-term success depends on more than technical infrastructure alone. Qualified personnel, clear operating procedures, reliable financing mechanisms and continuous performance monitoring are equally important. CDM Smith supports these objectives through design review, commissioning support, structured training programmes for operational staff, practical operating manuals and performance-based indicators during the assisted operating phase. In addition, municipal budgeting and cost-recovery mechanisms, as well as the national benchmarking and monitoring system, are being strengthened to support sustainable facility operation.

CDM Smith

How will the projects affect waste generation and recycling rates?

Ayman Elnaas

Pilot projects focused on source separation are creating cleaner streams of recyclable and organic waste before materials even reach the treatment facility. This significantly improves the recovery performance of the MBT facility. While overall waste generation may not decrease immediately, the amount of waste sent to landfill is expected to decline substantially through improved separation, treatment and resource recovery.

CDM Smith

How does the program support the development of a circular waste management system at national level?

Ayman Elnaas

Jordan’s path toward a circular economy demonstrates that success starts upstream and ends with advanced treatment. When households and businesses separate recyclables and organics at source, they provide cleaner input for the Mechanical-Biological Treatment (MBT) plant. There, sorting and biological processes recover valuable materials, produce compost, and reduce landfill waste. One key takeaway is clear: building infrastructure alone is not enough. Sustainable results require governance, financial planning, and stakeholder collaboration to ensure these assets operate as part of an integratedsystem. By aligning technical solutions with circular economy principles, Jordan is transforming waste management into a strategic driver of climate resilience and economic development across the MENA region.

Waste Management in Jordan: Moving Towards a Circular Economy

Waste Management in Jordan: Moving Towards a Circular Economy

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Working Together for a Circular Economy in Jordan

Interview with Ayman Elnaas

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About the Expert

Dr Ayman Elnaas

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