MAZAFAB

The MAZAFAB project, located in the municipality of Tamansourt near Marrakesh, is an eco-citizen recycling initiative that transforms plastic waste into shoes.¹ Supported by the National Initiative for Human Development (INDH),ⁱ a Moroccan government program fostering youth and women’s economic inclusion through employment and self-employment opportunities, the project introduces an innovative, circular approach to both waste management and sustainable production.²

The project’s vision is “to advance the transition of the footwear industry towards a circular economy by developing an efficient recycling sector that is socially, economically, and environmentally responsible”.³ It aims to reduce plastic pollution in five key districts of Marrakesh; Medina, Mellah, Hivernage, Chrifia, and Guéliz, where plastic bags and bottles have become recurring environmental concerns, while simultaneously offering sustainable, locally made products for residents and tourists.⁴

Implemented on a 225 square meter site in Tamansourt,⁵ the project adopts a circular-economy model in which plastic waste is collected, sorted, and transformed into eco-friendly shoes and boots through innovative recycling processes. These products are marketed to both local residents and Marrakesh’s growing tourist market, which increasingly demands socially and environmentally responsible goods.⁶
Currently, MAZAFAB employs eight people and aspires to expand into a larger-scale production facility that will generate new employment and promote sustainable consumption. The initiative also seeks to estabish a subsidiary in Africa to reach regional customers and reinforce its economic footprint.⁷
By combining waste recovery with value-added production, the project contributes to reducing urban plastic pollution, stimulating local entrepreneurship, and promoting sustainable livelihoods.⁸

The National Initiative for Human Development (INDH) serves as the project’s main financial and institutional supporter, providing both funding and technical guidance. The Municipality of Tamansourt facilitates local coordination and oversight ed by Mohamed Benaissa, Abdelmajid El Ouahmani, and Mohamed Oughzo,⁹ supported by local artisans and workers who transform recycled plastics into footwear.¹⁰ Residents and tourists form the main consumer base, benefiting from affordable, eco-friendly products. represent the end-users and market for the products.¹¹ The total project investment amounts to 340,000 Moroccan dirhams, including 200,000 DH contributed by the INDH program.¹²