Off the wire
• Gov't forces foil Boko Haram attacks in NE Nigeria refugee camp  • Islamic world condemns deadly terror bombings in Baghdad  • Panchen Lama conducts Buddhist service at Zhaxi Lhunbo Lamasery  • Boy shoots dead his cousin in Namibia  • Namibia needs 45 mln USD for drought relief  • Researchers working on glues inspired by mussels for fetal surgery  • LME base metals mostly increase on Monday  • Somali troops retake southern areas from Al-Shabaab militants  • Thai seafood industry likely to thrive again in wake of Tier 2 human trafficking status: businessman  • Merkel strongly condemns recent terrorist attacks  
You are here: 　 Home

Waste deal with Italy stirs controversy in Morocco

Xinhua, July 5, 2016 Adjust font size:

The Moroccan-Italian agreement to export waste to Morocco for energy production by a cement plant is stirring heated controversy Monday in Morocco.

Over 11,500 Moroccans signed a petition demanding the annulment of the agreement in just 72 hours.

The agreement angered ecologists and civil society members who fear the country will become Europe's dumping site.

The Ministry of Environment attempted in vain to reassure the public that the Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) waste is used as fuel and its import is legal.

The RDF or Solid Recovered Fuel (SRF) is fuel produced by shredding and dehydrating solid waste (MSW) via Waste converting technology.

RDF mainly consists of municipal combustible components such as plastic and biodegradable waste.

However, the Ministry of Environment's response did not allay rising tensions.

Its explanation that imported RDF waste is both harmless and an industrial energy source failed to convince local associations and subdue their discontent.

The Moroccan Coalition for Climate Justice called on the government to publish all agreement-related documents in order to ensure compliance with local regulations and international protocols. Endit