Amman, Dec. 15 (Petra) -- The Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) on Monday launched a solid waste sorting-at-source project at Sultan Market in the Tlaa Al-Ali area, as part of the Solid Waste Management in Jordan (SOWAS) program, funded by the German government and the European Union and implemented by the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ).

Acting Chairman of the GAM Committee Ziad Al-Reihani said the development of environmental services and solid waste management remains a national priority, emphasizing GAM’s commitment to advancing sustainable waste solutions.

Speaking at the project’s launch, attended by GAM officials and city leadership, Al-Reihani said the initiative aligns with the Economic Modernization Vision, national waste sector strategies, the Sustainable Development Goals, and internationally recognized best practices. He stressed the importance of embedding waste sorting behaviors at the community level.

The project builds on GAM’s broader efforts to modernize solid waste management systems, promote circular economy principles, and expand sorting-at-source programs under a phased plan aimed at covering all districts of the capital in the coming years.

Deputy City Manager for Districts and Environmental Affairs Mohammad Al-Faouri said the initiative marks a qualitative shift in environmental service delivery by introducing modern collection and sorting technologies and strengthening cooperation with international partners, contributing to improved service quality across the municipality.

Executive Director of Environmental Studies and Projects Suha Al-Shishani noted that expanding sorting-at-source initiatives requires enhanced monitoring and operational frameworks, as well as stronger coordination among municipal departments. She said the project represents a foundational step toward a more efficient and sustainable waste management system.

Director of Environmental Studies and Awareness Bassem Al-Hawamdeh said the department oversaw the project’s technical preparation in cooperation with GIZ, including field assessments, identification of operational requirements, design of the operational model, development of a separate collection program, and preparation of community awareness plans.

He added that the project introduces, for the first time, a pilot system using dual-color metal containers, with green bins for recyclable materials and gray bins for residual waste, alongside a pilot separate collection scheme aimed at improving operational efficiency, reducing costs, and reinforcing circular economy practices.

The GIZ project team stated that the partnership with GAM aims to support circular economy objectives, reduce landfill waste, lower emissions, build national capacities, and enhance community engagement.

//Petra// RZ