Amman: Jordan is making a significant step in transitioning from a linear to a circular economy, focusing on resource reuse, recycling, and regeneration. This shift aims to support sustainable development, improve economic growth, and create job opportunities. The Ministry of Environment described the circular economy as Jordan’s “pivotal role” in mitigating environmental degradation through promoting green transformation, emphasizing waste reduction, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and sustainable resource use.
According to Kuwait News Agency, the circular economy is an integral component of Jordan’s broader green economy agenda, pursued in collaboration with public and private sector stakeholders, as well as civil society institutions. The government has incorporated the circular economy concept into school curricula and developed the National Green Economy Action Plan (2021-2025), prioritizing six sectors: energy, water, waste management, agriculture, tourism, and transportation. The plan aligns with climate action efforts, including Jordan’s Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement.
To facilitate this transition, the Ministry of Environment has licensed 183 waste management facilities, including eight for battery recycling, 12 for oil recycling, and 12 for tire recycling. It also established 34 collection centers for electronic and electrical waste. Jordan’s Economic Modernization Vision prioritizes the circular economy to drive economic expansion, generate employment, and ensure the preservation of natural and environmental resources. A key focus of the Economic Modernization Vision is the development of industrial eco-parks and the formulation of circular economy standards for industrial activities.
The private sector has also embraced circular economy principles. The Jordan Strategy Forum highlighted the need to move beyond waste management to full circular economy integration, especially in manufacturing, which is Jordan’s largest industrial sector. The industry is expected to double by 2033, creating nearly 260,000 jobs in chemicals, textiles, food production, pharmaceuticals, and engineering. Given the sector’s high energy and resource consumption, circular economy practices can boost efficiency and sustainability.
In line with this, Jordan launched in 2023 a project to implement cleaner production and resource efficiency practices in 15 industrial facilities where several companies developed circular solutions, such as converting waste into alternative fuel, recycling plastic and rubber waste. Official data from the Ministry of Information showed that annually Jordan produces an estimated 2.7 million tons of waste with municipal solid waste accounting for 2.5 million tons, 50 percent of which is organic matter. The data revealed that medical waste generation stands at 2,745 tons per year, while hazardous industrial waste reaches 45,000 tons annually, and plastic waste constitutes nearly 35 percent of total waste output.
In a pioneering move, Jordan established its first Recycling Bank Center in Amman, which follows international best practices in commercial waste recycling. Experts and industry leaders stressed that circular economy practices improve competitiveness, reduce costs, and enhance Jordan’s international reputation, especially as global demand rises for sustainable products. In addition, they believe that this transformation will drive Jordan towards innovation, minimize waste, and ensure long-term environmental and economic benefits.