Solid Waste Management in Jordan project (SoWas)

The SoWas Project (Solid Waste Management in Jordan) is a comprehensive, multi-stakeholder initiative that supports the Kingdom of Jordan in establishing a modern, sustainable, and circular solid waste management system.^{1 2}
Within the broader frame, the project envisions fostering a “cleaner, greener, and more environmentally conscious Jordan”,³ targeting both institutional reform and technical improvement in waste sector governance and operations in Jordan.⁴
At its core, the SoWas project aims to enhance Jordan’s transition toward a circular economy, by strengthening cooperation, enhancing technical capacities, and integrating sustainable practices at both municipal and national levels.⁵

The project adopts a multi-faceted approach, structured around five strategic outputs, each addressing a critical component of solid waste management reform:⁶

Output 1: Strengthening Private Sector Engagement

• Facilitates open dialogue platforms between public and private sector stakeholders.
• Promotes business development innovations and cross-sectoral networking.
• Supports the identification and collaborative resolution of key challenges, aiming to advance the circular economy agenda.

Output 2: Enhancing Institutional and Technical Capacities

• Focuses on capacity-building for political partners, especially in policy and strategic planning.
• Hosts specialized dialogue sessions to support the update of Jordan’s National Solid Waste Management Strategy.
• Equips stakeholders with tools and expertise to implement effective waste governance.

Output 3: Promoting Source Separation in Amman

• Implements targeted awareness campaigns and training programs in 6 pilot areas across Amman
• Aims to shift behaviors among residents and businesses to encourage source separation and improve recycling rates.

Output 4: Expanding the “National Monitoring Information System” (NMISW)

• Builds on an existing digital platform to create an enhanced NMISW for municipal solid waste.
• Enables a real-time data collection from landfills and sorting stations, including gas emissions monitoring.
• Introduces mandatory registration for waste transporters and collectors to ensure comprehensive data input, aligned with national legislation.

Output 5: Advancing hazardous waste management

• Focuses on technical and institutional capacity development within the Ministry of Environment (MoEnv) and related agencies.
• Provides comprehensive assessments of hazardous waste streams, current legislation, and the institutional setup.
• Supports improved planning and regulation for hazardous waste control in Jordan.

The SoWas project is initiated by the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and co-funded by the European Union (EU).⁷ Its implementation is anchored in collaboration with key Jordanian’s government bodies, the Ministry for Local Administration (MoLA), Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) and the Ministry of Environment (MoEnv),
serving as a model of integrated, multi-level cooperation between international donors and national partners.⁸