tunisia: national guidelines for structural integration of ... · tunisia: national guidelines for...

May 2015

Tunisia: National guidelines for Structural Integration of the Informal Sector in Solid Waste Management

Deutsche Gesellschaft fürInternationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH

Dag-Hammarskjöld-Weg 1-565760 Eschborn/Germany

T +49619679-0F +49 61 96 79-11 15E [email protected] www.giz.de In cooperation with

published byThe Regional Solid Waste Exchange of Information and Expertise Network in the Maghreb and Mashreq countries

May 2015

Tunisia: National Guidelines for Structural Integration of the Informal Sector

in Solid Waste Management

published byThe Regional Solid Waste Exchange of Information and Expertise Network in the Maghreb and Mashreq countries

Tunisia: National Guidelines for Structural Integration of the Informal Sector in Solid Waste Management

3

Table of Contents

TablE of CoNTENTS 3

1. baCkgRouNd 5

1.1 PurPoseofthedocument 5

1.2 rationale 6

1.3 thetunisianinformalsector 7

2. METhodS of ENgagEMENT 9

2.1 mobilizingandbuildingoftrust 9

2.2 communication 11

2.2.1 CommuniCationwithformalstakeholders 11

2.2.2 internalCommuniCationamongBarBéChas 12

2.3 trainingandcaPacitybuilding 13

2.4 gettingorganized 14

3. SoCIal INTEgRaTIoN 15

3.1 Professionalrecognition 16

3.1.1 reCognitionatmuniCipallevel 16

3.1.2 reCognitionatthenationallevel 16

3.2 accesstosocialandhealthservices 17

3.2.1 accesstosocialsecurity 17

3.2.2 accesstosocialaidandhealthcare 18

3.3 corPoratesocialresPonsibility 18

4. TEChNICal INTEgRaTIoN aNd opERaToR ModElS 19

4.1 themainissues 19

4.2 rulesofoPeration 19

4.3 Pilotareasforintegrationinthecityoftunis 20

4.4 oPeratormodelsforintegration 22

4.5 rolesandinterestsofimPlementingPartners 23

4.5.1 BarBéChas 23

4.5.2 muniCipalities 23

4.5.3 neighBourhoodCommittees: 23


4


5

giZviasweep-netiscurrentlyimplementingtheBmZfinancedprojectentitled“structuralintegrationoftheinformalsectorintothemunicipalsolidwastemanagementintunisia”.theprojectstartedinJanuary2014andendsinJune2015.

theobjectivesoftheprojectaretoimprovetheincomeandlivelihoodoftheinformalsectorworkerswhilealsoimprovingthemunicipalsolidwastemanagementsystemintwopilotmunicipalities.themainareasofactivitywere:

- todesignandimplementpilotactionsinthecitiesoflamarsaandettadhamen-mnihla,totestandlearnfromtheintegrationoftheinformalsectorvaluechainintothepublicservicechain;

- tocarryoutahighleveldialoguewithnationalstakeholdersaimingattheprofessionalizationandthesocial,technicalandfinancialintegrationoftheinformalsector;and

- tobuildcapacityforlocalandnationalgovernanceforinclusivewastemanagement.

1.1. purpose of the document

thepurposeofthepresentdocumentistoconsolidatetheknowledge,experienceandlessonslearnedduringtheprojectimplementation,andtoformulatemeaningfulandapplicableguidancefortheintegrationoftheinformalsectoratthenationallevel.

duringtheprojectimplementationwecarriedoutaneedsassessmentandmaintainedacontinuedcommunicationandoutreachwithstreetwastepickersandcollectors.thecitizensandkeycitizenassociationswereconsultedthroughcustomersurveys,focusgroupsandmeetings.openorsemi-openinterviewswereheldwithlocalandnationalstakeholders.therewerelocalplatformmeetingshostedseveraltimesbythepartnermunicipalitiesoflamarsaandetthadhamen-mnihla.anongoinghighlevelmulti-stakeholderdialoguewassecuredthroughregularmeetingsoftheproject’sfollow-upCommitteeandworkinggroupsforaccesstofinanceandforsocialintegration.

theprojecthasalsodesignedandimplementedtechnicalapproachestointegrationofstreetpickersintothesolidwastemanagementsysteminfourpilotareasinthetwopartnermunicipalities.thesepilotactionsareanopportunitytolearnaboutthemanagementandmonitoringofaninformalsectortechnicalintegration,

1. Background5. ValuE ChaIN INTERVENTIoNS 25

5.1 theextendedProducerresPonsibility(ePr)intunisia 25

5.2 enhancingrecyclingthroughePr 26

5.3 integrationthroughePr 26

5.4 economicinstrumentsforenhancedrecycling 27

6. fINaNCINg 28

6.1 accesstomicro-financing 28

6.2 guaranteefunds 29

7. Road Map foR STRuCTuRal INTEgRaTIoN of INfoRMal SECToR IN SolId WaSTE MaNagEMENT IN TuNISIa 30


6


7

aswellastherelativeefficiencyofthedifferentintegrationmethods.

thedocumentwillgiverecommendations(i)forrollingouttechnicalintegrationatthemunicipalleveland(ii)forchangestothecurrentlegalandpolicyframeworkenablingthestructuralintegrationoftheinformalsectorintothesolidwastemanagementsystem.

1.2. Rationale

thereisanongoingandevolvingdebateregardingtheinvolvementoftheinformalsectorinsolidwastemanagementingeneral.therationalestartswiththreeprinciplesthataredifficulttocontestincaseofanywastemanagementplanningorimprovement:- first,anyplanforwastemanagementsolutionsorimprovementsshouldstartfromacorrectassessmentoftheexistingsituation.ifthatsituationalreadyincludesaninformalsectoractivityinwastemanagement,thenitisbettertotakethissectorintoconsiderationthantoignoreit;

- second,tobuildonwhatalreadyworksisagoodpractice;and

- third,modernwastemanagementalsomeansawellfunctioningrecycling/valorizationcomponent,includingareliablesupplychainforit.

wedonotarguethatinformalsectorwastepickinginitscurrentformisgoodandshouldbepromoted,butratherthatinformalsectorintegrationshouldbeseenasastrategytowardsmodernizationinthemediumterm.

Boththeinternationalandthetunisianpilotprojects’experiencehasprovenbenefits of integrating the informal sectorintothesolidwastemanagementsystem:

- highercapturerateforrecyclablesandhigherlevelsofdiversionfromlandfilling

- higherincomepotentialforthewastepickers,whobelongtothegroupofthemarginalizedurbanpoor

- lesspressureonauthoritiestoprovidesocialaid- improvedsocialstatusandprofessionalrecognitionfortheinformalsector

- bettercommunitycohesion,lesssocialtension,discrimination,poverty

- betterstreetsecurity- improvedcleanlinessatnocosttothecity- extendedservicecoverageatminimalcosttothecity- reducedcostsofcollectionandlandfilling- newcostefficientserviceoptions

ontheotherhandexcluding the existing informal sectorfromthesolidwastemanagementsystemcarries risks:

- tensionandconflictbetweenformalandinformalwastemanagementsectorandcompetitionforresourcestreams

- stigmatizationandharassmentofwastepickers,likelycreatingsocialproblems

- dirtystreets,poorelymaintainedcommunalbinsandlowstreetsafety

- increaseofpovertylevels,leadingtosocialproblemsofthewastepickers,andbyconsequenceincreasedneedforstatewelfare

whilethebenefitsarenumerous,therearecertainlydifficultiesalongtheway,andsuccessfulintegrationdoesnothappenovernight.someofthemain challenges of informal sector integrationare:

- cooperationwiththeinformalsectorisdifficultandtime-consuming,anddemandsalotoftrainingandcapacitybuildingonbothsides,

- healthandsafetyissues- environmentalcontrol- potentiallyreducedrecyclingvalueofthemunicipallycollectedwastestreams,andaswellasreducedspaceforthemunicipalitytodevelopandsupportnewrecyclingsystems,and

- potentialobstaclesineliminatingchildlabor.

forthesereasons,informalsectorintegrationisrecommendedfortunisiaasamediumterm,

transitionalsolutionstowardamodernmunicipalrecyclingsystem.theprocessofformalizationshouldimproveandmodernizewastemanagementwhilesimultaneouslyimprovingthelivelihoodoftheinformalsectorworkers.asalongtermgoal,integrationshouldleadtooptionsforexitstrategiesforthenextgenerationofwastepickers-eithertoremainintheformal,modernizedrecyclingsystemintunisiancities,orhaveexitoptionstopursueaprofessionoftheirchoicesustainedbyastrongerfamilyandstatebasedsocialsafetynet.weunderstandthatthisvisionismostlikelyalong-termgoalberealizedby-andfor-futuregenerations.

1.3. The Tunisian informal sector

The unseen recyclers of the citiesintunisia,significantinformalsectoractivityinrecyclingcanbefoundatthemarginsofthewastemanagementsystem.informalsectorworkersarecurrentlythebuildingblocksofrecyclingactivities,whichagainconstituteakeyelementofmodernwell-functioning

systems.accordingtothesweep-netCountryreport,themunicipalsolidwasteoftunisiacontains68%organiccomponentsand32%dry,mostlyrecyclableparts,whileonly4%ofthelatterisrecycled.ofthegeneratedtotalof2.423milliontonsofwasteperyear,4%makeupabout9.000tons.minorexceptionssetaside,thesupplychainforrecyclingintunisiaisentirelymadeupoftheinformalsectorsuppliers.

livelihoods through green jobs in recyclingthenumberofinformalsectorrecyclersintunisiaisnotcurrentlyknown.startingwiththeballparkfigureofabout100thousandtonsofpackagingwaste1beingcurrentlyrecycledintunisiaand99%ofthismaterialbeingsuppliedbywastepickers,weestimatethattheirnumberisabout15to18thousandpeople.theaveragewastepickerearnsabout10dinaraday,sellingamixofmaterialsweighingabout15to20kg.theinformalsector‘barbechas’arenotahomogenousgroup;theycomprisewastepickersworkingondumpsitesandonthestreet,smallscalemobilecollectors,junkyards,largercollectors,largerscrapyardsandprocessingunits.manyofthewastepickersareprofessionalorsemi-professional,workinginthetradeformorethan7years,oftenfor30yearsorevenforgenerations.ineffect,mostoftheserecyclersareentrepreneurs,thelackofinvestmentandworkingcapitalbeingtheonlyimpedimentkeepingthemfrommovingupintherecyclingchainandearninghigherandmoresecureincome.asthenumbersshow,thisindustrysustainsasignificantnumberoflivelihoods,which,inaddition,areurbangreenjobs,astheycontributetothecleanlinessofthecitiesandhigherrecoveryratesofrecyclables.

Waste picking is a source of livelihood for vulnerable groupswastepickersoftencomefromsociallydisadvantagedgroups,bywhichwemeanagroupofpeoplewhoareamongthepoorestandmostvulnerablegroupofsociety.thesepickersusuallyworkinrecyclingparttimetoaddtotheirotherincome;theyhavenoequipment,areinthetradeforafewyearsonlyandhavenointerestinstayingintheprofession.thisgroupoftenincludespeoplewhohavemorethanone,sometimes1.sweep-netCountryreport,tunisia,2013,

http://www.sweep-net.org/sites/default/files/tunisie%20ra%20ang_0.pdf


8


9

withtheexceptionofthecurrentproject,itcanbesaidthattheinformalsectorintunisiaispresentlynotorganizedinanyclearlyrecognizableform.theonlyorganizationaroundthebuyersandthesupplychainispurelybusinessdriven.Collectionpoints(scrapyards)arethelocationswherewastepickersmeet,discusstheirtrade,andidentifyeachotherasbeingpartofthesameprofessionandbelongingtothesamesocialstrata.itisherethattheyformlooserelationshipsbasedonmutualrespect.

ifanexternalpartywouldliketocommunicatewiththeindividualsintheinformalsector,aninformalapproachisneeded.formalstakeholdershavenocounterpartyetintheinformalsector;andtheinformalsectorinturnhasnoofficialrepresentation.iftheinformalsectoristobetreatedasastakeholderandapartner,thefirststepsaremobilization,trustbuildingandstimulatingsomeformoforganizationbuilding.

2.1. Mobilizing and building of trust

theprojecttookthefirststepsandapproachedthebarbéchaswithalocalteamforcommunitymobilization.forthispurpose,wehaveusedseveralmethods:privateinformalmeetingswithindividualsandmeetingsinsmallgroups,dialoguewithinawidergroup,andfinallymeetingswiththeinstitutionalpartnersandcivilsocietyrepresentatives.Basedonthiscomprehensiveconsultation,wewereabletocompilealistoftheneedsoftheinformalsectorastheywereidentifiedandconceivedintherespectivesettings:

• Informal meetings with individuals and in small groups:inthebeginning,inordertogetintouchwithandtomobilizethebarbéchas,wemetwastemanagementstaffofthemunicipalitywhoalreadyhadaregularcontactwiththem.wevisitedthewastepickerstogetherwiththemunicipalpersonnelandexplainedtothewastepickersthepurposeofthevisitandimportanceoftheirroleintheproject.ateveryscrapyardwevisited,weaskedconsentoftheownerstotalkwiththebarbéchas,whocametosellthematerialstheyhadcollected.mostofthemcameonceortwiceaweek,somedaily.wehavealsometthebarbéchasworkingatthedisposalsites(atlamarsaandatBorjChakir).

2. Methods of engagement

sickdependants,areraisingchildrenontheirown,arewomen,areelderlylivingonverysmallpensions,orpeoplewithsomekindofhandicapordisease.thisvulnerablegroupneedsadifferenttypeofattention,firstandforemostsocialintegrationandaccesstobasicsocialandhealthservices.


10


11

themeetingswereconductedinthelocalarabicdialect.recordsfromthesemeetingsincludedthename,givenname,familystatus,levelofeducation,position,phonenumber,thetypeofcollectedmaterial,thedailycollectedamounts,problemsandneeds,andthestoriestoldbybarbéchas.theinformationwasdrawnfrominformalconversations.thequestionswerelooselystructured;theexpertshadpreparedachecklistofissuestopursueinadvancethatguidedthedialogueandinterviews.photosweretakenwithpermissionofthewastepickers.attheendofeachday,theexpertstranscribedthenotesandsetuparesearchjournal,includingtherawdata,thestories,theobservationsandquotes.

oneofthefindingsofthesefirstencounterswasthattherewasageneralmistrustonthepartofthebarbéchastowardspublicauthorities.ingeneral,toachieveresultsfromtheirencounterswiththepublicadministrationhadproventobedifficult.inaddition,theyfoundthemselvesincompetitionwiththeformalsectorwastemanagementworkersforcertainvaluablewastestreams.

• organized dialogue:startingduringthefirstweek,largermeetingstookplaceininformallocations:inlamarsa,thisprovedtobeoneofthescrapyardsandinettadhamen-mnihla,inabuildingunderconstruction,madeavailablewiththesupportofascrapyardowner.thesetwoscrapyardowners,whowerethefirsttovolunteerandtogetinvolved,havehelpedtheorganizationofbarbéchasandingettingthemmobilized,andtheyalsoprovidedadviceregardingthechoiceofdatesandofhoursetc.totheteam.followingtheinitialfindingsoftherebeingalackoftrusttowardspublicauthorities,themeetingswereorganizedbetweenthewastepickersandtheprojectteam,withouttheparticipationofanyofficials.

duringthefirstdialogue,whichtookplaceinettadhamen-m’nihla,wemetabout50persons,athirdofwhomwere“socialcases”,andwerenotinterestedintheproject.“socialcases”werepeoplebelongingtovariousvulnerablegroups,suchasthepoor,ill,

disabled,orotherwisevulnerablepersons,butwhoarenotinvolvedinrecyclingactivities.thesepeoplecameinthehopetoreceivesomeaidordonations.duringthefirstmeeting,theobjectiveoftheprojectwasmadeclear,thusduringtheseconddialogue,inlamarsa,wemet20persons,includingwastepickers,collectorsandscrapyardowners,successfullyminimizingthepresenceof“socialcases”.

duringthesedialogues,wepresentedtheprojectandgaveeverypersontheopportunitytointroducethemselfandpresenttheirproblems.weannouncedtheneedforthegrouptodesignatetwoorthreerepresentativestoattendthefuturemeetingswiththeformalstakeholders,andwesetthedateforthefollowingdialogue.thedialogueswerefacilitatedbythenationalexpertandwereheldinthelocalarabicdialect.asimultaneoustranslationintofrenchwasprovidedtotheinternationalexpert,whichallowedhimtocontribute,toaskquestionsandtoalsoparticipateinthedialogue.

• Contacts with the formal partners atthesametime,theteammadecontactwithrepresentativesoftheresponsiblenationalandlocalpublicauthorities,localneighbourhoodassociationsandrepresentativesofthecivilsociety.thisprogressiveandparticipativeapproachallowedtheteamtounderstandtherealityofthesectorandtoevaluatetheneedsofthebarbéchasandcollectors.thepragmaticmethodologywasadoptedtofacilitatethetrueunderstandingofthesectorfromthetechnical,socialandeconomicpointofview.

2.2. Communication

2.2.1. Communication with formal stakeholderswhiletheprojectwasmobilizingandengagingtheinformalstakeholders,italsosetouttomobilizeformalstakeholders.thisprocessstartedbyidentifyingthemainstakeholders,i.e.thoseinterestedininformalsectorintegrationandthosewiththecapacitytoinfluencetheprocess.thiswasdonethroughakick-offworkshopclosetothebeginningoftheproject(april2014),andcontinuedwithfurtherone-to-onemeetings.themainformalstakeholderswerethenationalsolidwastemanagementagencyanged,theformersecretaryofstateforsustainabledevelopment,theministryofhealth,theministryofsocialaffairs,theministryofemploymentandvocationaltraining,theministryofinterior(withitschildprotection

unit),theministriesofYouth,sports,womenandfamily,endainter-arabe,Bts,taysir,tamss,themunicipalities,otherngosandassociations,publicandprivatecompaniesandinformalwastepickersandtransporters.

followingtheneedsassessmentthattookplaceafterthekick-offworkshop,afirstplatformdialoguewasorganizedinseptember2014,withtheparticipationofthemostinfluentialandinterestedstakeholders.thestrategyofaplatformdialoguewaskeptfortheremainderoftheprojectforthelargergroupofstakeholders.atthesametime,asteeringcommitteewassetupforthekeystakeholders,understoodasthosekeyplayerswithhighpowerandinterestsalignedwiththeproject.theyhaveadifferentiatedperspectiveoftheproblem,andtheirfullengagementisneededtoplacetheintegrationofwastepickershigheruponthepoliticalagenda.inthiscase,thekeyplayersarerepresentativesofthepilotmunicipalities,representativesofthegovernorates,anged,tamss,endaandsweep-net.reportsofthestakeholdermeetingsandofthemeetingsofthesteeringcommitteeswerealwaysdrawnupandsenttoawiderlistofinterestedpartners.

inthepilotareas,localstakeholdermeetingstookplacebetweenthemunicipalities,thelocalngosand

«Nothing about us without us”

• thestartoftheprocessrequiressupportofcommunicationexpertsandofalocalteamtoassurecommunitymobilization

• ingeneral,thebarbéchashavetenserelationswiththepublicauthorities,andtheyoftendonottrustthem.• theconsolidationofarelationshipbasedonmutualtrustisessentialforanymobilisation.• preliminaryresearchneedstobeconductedtoidentifysuitableinformalsitesforestablishingfirstdialogueswiththebarbéchas

• thiscommunitymustbeapproachedprogressively,withanopenmind,withoutpreconceptions,andwithoutassumingbeforehandtheneeds,strengthsandweaknessesofthesector

• itisnecessarytounderstandtherealityofthesectorinordertoevaluate-inaparticipativemanner-theneedsoftheinformalsectoratthetechnical,socialandeconomiclevel

LESSONS LEARNED


12


13

associationsandtherepresentativesofthebarbéchas.similarly,localsteeringcommitteeswereestablishedtofollowuponthepilotoperations.inordertokeepthecommunicationchannelsopenbetweenthemunicipalityandthebarbéchas,aliaisonofficeineachmunicipalitywasestablishedandrunbylocalcoordinators.

theotherstakeholderswerekeptinformedthrougharegularnewsletterthatwaseditedbysweep-net,senttoallstakeholdersandpostedonthesweep-netwebsite.projectdocuments,includingarticlesandreportsweremadeavailabletoallstakeholdersandthewiderpublicthroughthesweep-netwebsitewww.sweep-net.org.

2.2.2. Internal communication among barbéchasuntiltheimplementationoftheproject,theinternalcommunicationamongbarbéchaswaslimitedtocasualmeetingsatscrapyardsduringthesaleoftherecyclablematerials.itisveryraretoseebarbéchassittingatatabletogether,sippingcoffeeandchatting.aftersomeoutmeetingsanddialogues,thedesignationofrepresentativesandeventuallywiththestartoftheprocedurestoestablishassociations,therelationsappeartohavebeenstrengthened.thebarbéchascallthescrapyardownersoroftenpassbythescrapyards,toaskfornewsconcerningtheprogressofvariousissues.

additionaltoolsweredevelopedtoimprovethecommunicationamongthebarbéchasandbetweenbarbéchasandotherstakeholders.anewsletterwrittenintunisianarabicwasdesignedwitharticlesregardingtheactivitiesandadvancementoftheassociationsofthebarbéchas,andwasconsequentlyplacedatthecollectionpointsanddistributedtobarbéchas.for

thecommunicationbetweenthebarbéchasandthewiderpublic,afacebookpagewassetup.Concerningthepilotoperations,awarenessraisingmaterials(stickers,fliers,bannersandcalendars)weredevelopedandusedtocommunicatewiththewiderpublic.significantly,thebarbéchaassociationsnowhaveflyersandbusinesscardstopresentthemselvesandtomaketheirassociationknowntopotentialnationalandinternationaldonors.alltheseinstrumentsaredesignedusingavisualidentityandslogansthatweredevelopedtogetherwiththebarbéchas.

2.3. Training and capacity building

duringthefieldwork,aseriesofneedsregardingcapacitybuildingwasidentified.theseareasare:• skillsforrepresentationofcommoninterests,publictalks,andnegotiationwithformalstakeholders

• issuesrelatedtofinancialmanagementandbusinessplanning,andaccesstofinancing

anotherimportantneedwasnotimmediatelypresent,butdevelopedgraduallyamongthebarbéchaastheygrewtounderstandthatalltheirotherneedscanonlybemetthroughadialogueandinpartnershipwiththeformalstakeholders.fromthisarosetheneedto:• getorganized,andobtainanauthorizedrepresentation

processes:thebarbéchas’requestswereidentifiedduringthevariousmeetingsanddialoguesandconcernedfirstofallbasicneedsandrights:health,financialaid,limitationofcompetitionbetweentheinformalsectorgroupandformal,publicserviceswasteworkers.later,astheprocessofempowermenttookon,theneedsofthegroupevolvedtoincorporaterequestsrelatedtoprofessionalrecognitionandrepresentationoftheirinterests,includingtheformationoforganizations(associationsetc.).

• thecommunicationwiththestakeholders,eitheratthelocaloratthenationallevel,needstotakeplacethroughofficialmeetings,wherethemeeting’sminutesarerecordedandsubsequentlyshared.

• asteeringcommittee,bothatthenationalandatthelocallevel,isnecessarytomonitorday-by-daydevelopments,toupdatetheactivitiesoftheprojectandtoreporttheprogressofcommitmentsofthemajorstakeholders.

• aliaisonofficeallowsforapermanentcommunicationchannelbetweentheinformalsectorandthemunicipality.

• variousinstrumentsmayimprovetheinternalcommunicationamongbarbéchas,butnothingcanreplacethedirectcontactbetweentheprojectteamandthebarbéchas.

• inordertocoordinatethisprocess,itisnecessarytohaveatleastonelocalcoordinator,assistedbyvariousexperts.

• theimplementationofthepilotoperationswillbefacilitatedbytheplacementoflocalcoordinatorsinthepilotlocations.

• inordertomaintaincommunication,theinvolvementofexternalfacilitatorsisneededintheshorttomediumterm.thisexternalfacilitationneedstobeintenseinthebeginning,butcanbeprogressivelyreduced,asthegroupwillbeincreasinglyabletorelyontheirownleadersforcommunication.

LESSONS LEARNED

informalsectoridentifiesitsneeds:1. facilitatetheaccesstopreferentialcreditsforbarbéchasandforthecollectors,especiallytopurchasemeansoftransport

2. organisesocialprotection3. establishaone-stop-shoptypeaccesstothelocaladministration/municipality(guichetunique)

4. separationofworkbetweenworkersinthesanitationserviceofthemunicipalityandthebarbéchas

5. facilitatedoor-to-doorcollectionofrecyclablematerials,especiallyofpetbottles

6. Contributetothecreationofanassociationtodefendtheinterestsofbarbéchas/collectorswitharepresentativeofficerecognizedbythepublicandprivatebodies,militatingtorecognizethetrade(uniforms,badgeetc.)

7. Contributetotheimplementationofacooperativeofinformalcollectorsforthecommonuseofassetsandequipment(storageplace,ballpressandshreddingmachine)

LESSONS LEARNED


14


15

2.4. getting organized

duringtheinitialimplementationphaseitquicklybecameclearbothtobarbéchasandtootherstakeholdersthatarepresentationandorganizationoftheinformalsectorisnecessarytoensurethatitsvoicesareheard.thiswasaneedthatemergedandevolvedduringtheproject.

thebarbéchasthemselvesidentifiedthisneedtogetorganized,andtheydiscussedincommunitymeetingsaboutthebestformoforganization.suchdiscussionsdidnotoccurduringthefirstmeetings,butonlycameaboutlater,intheprocessofidentifyingtherouteoftheirintegrationandonceacertainleveloftrustwasbuiltamongthebarbéchas.theywereconsideringanassociationorasyndicate/tradeunion,andbothrouteswerepresentedtothemindetail.

themembersoftheworkinggroupcommittees,specificallytheelectedpresidentsandsecretariesquicklysteppedintotheirroles,identifiedwiththeorganizationandtheirtask,andstartedspeakingup

forthecommunityofbarbéchasinvariousmeetings.theirgrowingsenseofresponsibilitycouldbenotedespeciallyininstanceswhentheysaidoncertainissuestheywerenotinapositiontomakedecisions,andwouldneedtogobackandconsultthemembersoftheassociation.adelegationofdecision-makingpoweralsohappenedalmostinstantly,sincetheypreparedmeetingsinternallyandoncertainpointsofnegotiationwithformalstakeholderstheywereabletomakedecisionsonbehalfoftheirassociation.

1. theissueoforganizationcancomeonlyafterthebuildingoftrust,andafterseveralcommunitymeetingstookplace.

2. theinitiativeneedstocomefromtheinformalsector;itcannotbeimposedonthem.

3. theinformalsectorneedsinformationandcapacitybuildingtounderstanddifferentformsoforganizationandtheirrespectiveadvantagesanddisadvantages.

4. itismostlikelythattheinformalsectorwillneedassistanceinpreparingthelegaldocumentsoftheorganizationandregisteringtheorganization.

5. representationneedstobeapprovedbyalargeandtransparentcommunitymeetingandvotingprocess.

6. themereexistenceoftheorganizationempowerstheinformalsectorandgivesacounterpartforformalstakeholderstotalkto.

LESSONS LEARNED

thesocialintegrationoftheinformalsectorofwastepickersincludesthemeasuresthatallowtheseworkerstobenefitfromtherightsthatemployeesareentitledto:accesstosocialassistance,retirementandunemploymentinsurance.

socialintegrationalsohasamoreintangiblebutequallyimportantelement-thatofrecognizingthesectorasavaluablepartofsocietyanditsworkersaspersonsbelongingtoavalue-generatingprofessionaltrade.thefeelingofself-worthandprofessionalpridecanstarttobebuiltthroughthesimplestformsofrecognitionsuchaspubliclysayingthattheinformalsectoriscreatingvalueforthecity,ormakingamunicipalregistryof

informalsectorworkersandmaintainingadatabaseofthosewhohavetherighttowastepickinginacertainarea.theseobjectivesarediscussedtakingintoaccountthespecificityoftheactivitywhichmustbeclearlydefinedandcouldbesummarizedasfollows:

- theactivityofwastepickingismostlyanindividualactivity.

- workingconditionsareundefined:workinghoursandworkingplacearenotclearlydefined.

- streetpickingisastressful,physicallytiringandoftendangerousactivity.

asitisaninformalactivity,itisclearlyshownthatthewastepickersdonotbenefitfromfacilitiesensuredtoformalsectors.

Consequently,wearerecommendingthatspecificfacilitiesshouldbedevelopedtomeettheirneedsthatfitintothecurrentlegalsystemornecessitatelittlealterationtothecurrentrulesandregulations.

firstlythefollowingaspectsshouldbeconsidered:

3. Social integration


16


17

- thesocialstatusofinformalrecyclersincludesvariouscategoriesintermsofage,gender,familystatus,levelofincome,statusofhealth,etc.strategiesshouldtakeintoconsiderationthedifferencesbetweencategoriesandbeadaptedtomeettheneedsofeachcategoryinapracticalway;

- theaccesstorightsmustbecoupledwiththeacceptanceofcertainobligationssuchaspaymentoftaxesandprivatedeclarationofrevenues.hence,anadditionalsetofrecommendationsisadded,concerningsocialliability,tohelptheinformalactorscopewiththeseobligations.

inthecurrentstateofthelegalframeworkintunisia,theaccesstosocialrightsisconditionedbytheprofessionalrecognitionoftheactivity.thisaccentuatesagaintheneedforprofessionalrecognition.

3.1. professional recognition

theactivityofsortingandrecoveryofrecyclablewastesforre-saleexists,butitisnotrecognized,fromthelegalpointofviewthereforeitdoesnotexist.ontheonehandtheactivitycreatesvaluebyrecoveringmaterials,andontheotherhanditalsocontributestothecollectionofdomesticwastes.

therecommendationsinclude:i.)actionsatthemunicipalleveltointegratetheactivityintheservicechainofcollectionandmanagementofmunicipalwaste,andii.)recognizingthisactivityatthenationallevelasatradeand“greenoccupation”.

3.1.1. Recognition at municipal levelmunicipallevelrecognitionisabasiclevelofacknowledgementfromlocalauthoritiestotheinformalsector.thisisanimportantfirststepinworkingtowardsfullrecognitionofthissector.themunicipalitiesareresponsibleforthewastemanagementofthecities(thisresponsibilityarisesfromtheorganiclawofcommunities95-68).municipalitiesareclosesttotheinformalsectorandknowsomeoftheindividualwastepickerswhointeractwithformalsectorworkers.

theobjectiveofmunicipalrecognitionistoacceptandanchorthepositionofinformalrecyclersasregularpartnersofthemunicipality,meaning:

• recognizedpartnersasactorsinthemanagementofwaste,addingvaluetothecitybyensuringrecoveryofmaterials,savingcollectioncostsanddisposalcosts,

• regularpartners,namelycommittedonthelongruntoenterintocooperationwiththeinformalsector

thisrouteofrecognitionispartofthetechnicalintegrationprocess,whichispresentedinChapter4ofthisguideline.oncerecognizedaspartners,differentmodelsofcooperationarepossible,whicharediscussedinChapter4.

3.1.2. Recognition at the national level professionalrecognitionatnationallevelissubjecttoformaladministrativeprocedures,constraintsandopportunities.

thepurposeistohavethetradeofwastepickingandrecoveryofmaterialsclearlydefinedasaprofessionbyadministrationsandresponsibleorganizations.

accordingtodecreeno.97-2452ofdecember15,1997,providinginstitutionswithanationalnomenclatureofvocations,thisdefinitionistransposedbythe

registrationofthetradeinthenationaldictionaryofprofessionalvocations,whichismanagedbythenationalobservatoryofemploymentandQualificationsundertheministryoflabourandvocationaltraining.

anationalworkinggrouphasbeenestablishedintheframeworkoftheprojectinordertodefinethevariousstepstobefollowedandthelegalprocedureforthetradetobecomepartofthenationallyrecognizedvocations.thesestepsarethefollowing:

- setupofaquestionnairebasedonachecklisttodefinethetasks,skillsandconditionsnecessarytoworkinthetrade.

- meetingsbetweentherepresentativeoftheministryoflabourandofvocationaltrainingandtherepresentativesofthetradetovalidatethedatainthequestionnaire.

- developingadrafttradedefinitionanddescriptionchart.

- thetradechartwillbesubjecttovalidationbyatechnicalcommitteeconsistingofowners’organizationsandtradeunions,representativesofthetrade,ministries,etc.

ithastobenotedthattheregistrationonthelistofrecognizedtradesdoesnotautomaticallycreatelegalrightsforthoseworkingintheprofession.

3.2. access to social and health services

3.2.1. access to social securitytheaccesstothesocialsecurityismainlygovernedbythelaw60-30ofdecember14,1960,organizingthesystemsofsocialsecuritythroughthenationalhouseofsocialsecurity(Cnss).theservicesprovidedare:familyallowances,socialsecurity,pensionsandmedicalinsurance.tobenefitfromalltheseservices,anyworkermustthereforebeaffiliatedtoCnss.

article34ofthelawenumeratesthecategoriesofworkersthathavetherighttoaffiliatewiththeCnss.

theworkersintheinformalsectordonotbelongtoanyofthesecategories,whichemphasisestheneedtointroducethisnewcategory.

technically,therecommendedroadforintegrationisasfollows:

- theinformalsectorworkinginwasterecoverymustbeidentifiedthroughthetradechart.

- Consultationwiththeconcernedministriesmustberealised.

- theministryinchargeoftheenvironmentneedstosendacommunicationpapertotheotherconcernedministriestoexplainthatthetradeneedstobecoveredbythelaw.

- adraftlawneedstobeproposedtothegovernmentbyoneoftheministriesorbytheassociationsofthebarbéchasthroughoneoftheministries.

theseprovisionsapplytothepersonsthathaveadeclaredemployment,andthismeanseitherthattheconcernedpartyshouldbeself-employed,orbeemployed.theassociationscouldactasanemployer.

asconcernstheinformalcollectorsthatworkasself-employedpersons,theprocedurerequireseitherapatentobtainedfromthetaxservices,ortheestablishmentofaformalenterprise.

toaccomplishrecognitionitisrecommendedtoprovidesessionsoftrainingtoinformalrecyclersfocusingontheformalizationofactivities,mainlyontheadministrativeprocedures.indeed(acc.tothe


18


19

tilireport),agreatmajorityofinformalworkersareunawareoftheadministrativeprovisions.

3.2.2. access to social aid and health careinparallelwiththejudicialandadministrativeendeavour,itisrecommendedtodeveloptheaccessofvulnerableinformalrecyclerstosocialaidandtofreemedicalcare,toansweremergencysituations,withoutwaitingforaformalisationprocessthatcouldbeverytimeconsuming.

thisrequirestheimplementationofamedicalorsocialmonitoringsystemintheframeoftheassociationofworkersoftheinformalsector.

ithasbeenproposedtoorganizesuchasystemaroundthefollowingfacilities:

- establishingandstaffingareceptiondeskforevaluationofthesocialsecuritystatusofsociallyvulnerablerecyclerswithinaliaisonoffice;

- regularpartnershipwithasocialworkertowhomthevulnerablepersonscouldbedirected;

- regularsessionsofinformation/awarenessraisingregardinghealthandsafetyissuesinwastepickingandrecycling

- medicalpreventioncampaignsandvaccinationcampaignsbytheCareCentresoftheministryofhealthorbyngos.

3.3. Corporate social responsibility

economicactorswhoestablishcorporatesocialresponsibilityprinciplesandprogramsaimatprovidingthemostfavourableenvironmentalandsocialconditionsfortheiremployees,theirregulartradingpartnersandthecommunitiestheyinteractwith.

informalrecyclershavetwofinal«clients»:

- intermsoftheactivityofcollectingwaste,thewastepickersarepartofthepublicservicechainofwaste

removal;assuch,theyareserviceprovidersofthemunicipalitiesor,moredirectly,theinhabitants.

- intermsoftheactivityofsupplyingrecyclablematerialstotherecyclingvaluechain,theyareregularsuppliersofthelargecollectorsandrecyclingfactories.

fortheimplementationofsocialresponsibilityoftheenterprisesdealingwiththeinformalworkers,therespectiveenterprisesmustbeidentifiedatfirst.thisisnotveryeasyfortheformalsector,becauseundercurrentlegislation,admittingtothepurchaseofrecyclablesfrominformalprovidersisconsideredanoffense.

itisthereforerecommendedtoproceedwithcautiontoobtainallthenecessaryinformationandtoestablishapositivedialoguewiththeseenterprises,preferablythroughsmallcollectorsandprofessionalorganizations(likeutiCa-l’uniontunisiennedel’industrie,duCommerceetdel’artisanat).

specifically,thecommitmentofenterprises,ofmunicipalitiesandneighbourhoodassociationscouldtakethefollowingforms:

- guaranteeofaminimumpriceofpurchaseanddirectaccesstobuyerswhoguaranteethosepricesfortherecyclablematerials.theconditionsforthisarrangementcouldbenegotiatedannuallybytheassociationsofinformalsectorworkersinexchangeofacommitmenttodeliveraspecifiedquantity.

- takingontheliabilityfortheentire,oratleastpartof,thesocialsecuritycontributionsofinformalrecyclersmembersofanassociationandadheringtocertaincooperationagreementswithformalpartners.

- Contributiontothepurchaseofindividualhealthandsafetyprotectionequipmentfortheinformalrecyclers.

- Contributiontotheorganizationofhealthprotectionandvaccinationcampaigns.

- actingasguaranteesformicro-credits

4.1. The main issues

Competition for materialsintunisia,neitherintegrationnoraccommodationoftheinformalsectorandthepublicservicechainexists.Bothworkinparallelandoftencompetewitheachotherforthesamematerials.theinformalsectorisworkingasasupplieroftherecyclingvaluechainandislookingforthesamematerialsasthepublicservicewastemanagementworkers,whoarepaidnotforrecycling,butfordeliveringthewastecollectionservice.

thistakestheformoftruckpicking.oftenthepublicsectorworkersareseparatingvaluablematerialsfromwasteandaresellingthemtotherecyclingvaluechain.thiscreatescompetition,tensionandoftenconflictbetweenthepublicsectorworkersandthebarbéchas.

littering and nuisance for citizensthewastepickersorganizesothattheydotheircollectionroutesjustbeforethepubliccollectionserviceisscheduled,toensurethattheyhaveaccesstothebestmaterials.theyoftenworkinarush,sometimesatnightwhenvisibilityispoor,andoftenleaveamessaroundtheircontainersornearthewastesetoutforpick-up.thereforethewastepickersareblamedforleavingamessonthestreets.

Recycling value chain public collection service

drivenbythevalueoftherecyclablematerial

drivenbythedemandforwasteremoval

informalsectorworkers publicsectorworkers

4.2. Rules of operation

itisrecommendedtofurtherdevelopthealreadyexistingdraftagreementrulesofoperationtoincludeatleastthefollowingitems:

- rolesandobligationsofallimplementingandsupportingactors

- rulesofoperation- technicalandlogisticalspecifications- Cleanlinessrequirementsofthemunicipality- penaltiesincaseofnon-compliance

itshouldbenotedthatpenaltiesincaseofnon-complianceareunlikelyinthepilotingphase,howeversomesortofpublicrecognitionofgoodbehaviour,oracompetitiononthefacebookpageoftheprojectcouldsubstituteformalenforcementinthepilotphase.

4. Technical integration and operator models


20


21

4.3. pilot areas for integration in the city of Tunis

fourpilotdistrictswereselected,twoinlamarsaandtwoinettadhamen-mnihlabasedonanagreementamongtheimplementingparties.

Baselinesettingpriortostartingthepilotactivities,abaselinewasestablishedforrecyclingratesandtheproductivityoftheworkofthebarbéchas.theseindicators,togetherwithcleanlinessindicatorsweremonitoredregularlyduringimplementation.

Three methods of integration were piloted:door-to-doorcollectionofsource-separatedrecyclablesinthismethod,selectedwastepickersgofromhousetohouseatapre-establishedtimeandcollectsource-separatedplasticandcans.theparticipatinghouseholdsallreceivedaplasticbagforsourceseparatingrecyclables.thehouseholdswhopreferabell-ringsystemplaceastickerontheirdoorsignallingthattheywishtobecalledupon.otherhouseholdsplacetheirrecyclablesoutsidetheirhomeinaconvenientplaceforthebarbéchas.thematerialsareoftenhangingonanailorahooktopreventaccessofstraydogsandcats.

overall,thishasproventobeapositiveexperience,wheretheparticipatinghouseholdsandthebarbéchasbothkepttheircommitments,andtheindicatorsshowpositiveresultsintermsofincreasedrecyclingratesandproductivityratesforthebarbéchasinvolved.

Collection of source-separated from communal mesh boxesinthismethod,theresidentsplacetheirsource-separatedrecyclablematerialsinameshboxplacedinthevicinityoftheirhome.thebarbéchasresponsibleforcollectionhaveakeytothemesh-boxesandcollectthematerialsatapre-establishedtime.

thisexperiencehasproducedmixedresultsassomeofthemeshboxeswerestolenandothersvandalized.theamountofrecyclablescollectedfrommeshboxesislowerandtherecyclingrateislowerthanincaseofdoor-to-doorcollection.

The mixture of the two methods abovethemixtureofthetwomethodsabovewasalsopilotedinlamarsaandtheresultsofthisexperimentalsoshowbetterresultsthanmeshboxesalone,buttheyaresomewhatlesserthandoor-to-doorcollectionalone.

thesuccessofthevariousmethodsalsodependedonthespecificsoftheneighbourhoodwhereitwasimplementedandtheconditionsthatexistedthere,andcanonlybepartiallyattributedtothemethodof

collectionused.theconditionsthatcontributedtothesuccessofaparticularneighbourhoodinclude:- ahighlyactiveinformalsectorinthedistrict- relativelylowincome- activeinvolvementofbarbéchasinawarenessraising.

inallcases,technicalintegrationinvolvedthefollowingcontrolfactors:- acustomersatisfactionsurveytounderstandtheneedsandpreferencesofthecitizens

- anawarenessraisingcampaignwiththeinvolvementofvolunteersandinsomecasesofthebarbéchasthemselves

- supportwithplasticbags,containers,equipmentfromthepartoftheformalstakeholders

- distributionofuniformsandprotectionshoestobarbéchas

- theregistrationofbarbéchasengagedintheprojectintheassociations

- givingoutbadgesthatauthorizeBarbéchastocollectinacertainpilotarea

Data point Unit of measurement Frequency

Recycling rate

petcollected kg/week/district weekly

Canscollected kg/week/district weekly

recyclingrateforpet %,Calculated weekly

recyclingrateforcans %,Calculated weekly

productivity of work

efficiencyoflogistics kg/kmperbarbecha weekly

efficiencyoflogistics kg/routeperbarbecha weekly

productivity kg/day/barbecha weekly

Cleanliness

litteringonthemainstreets description,photo Bi-weekly

litteringontheinsidestreets description,photo Bi-weekly

Municipal services

adherencetoschedule description weekly

adherencetorouting description weekly

1. long-termawarenessraisingandengagementwithcitizensusersisnecessaryforsourceseparationandintegration.

2. door-to-doorcollectionofdryrecyclablesbyinformalsectorworkersisasuccessfulmodel.

3. institutionalsupportfromthemunicipalitythroughprovisionofstorageplace,equipment,andaccesstohealthcare,orpaymentfortheservice,wouldlikelyimproveresults.

4. givingoutuniformsandidentificationbadgesthatmakebarbéchasrecognizableisessentialtoobtainabetter(self-)perceptionofthebarbéchas.

LESSONS LEARNED


22


23

4.4. operator models for integration

astrust-buildinganddialogueevolves,sodothemethodsofcooperation.allpartnerspreferamoreloosecooperationatthebeginning,andoncetheygainconfidence,theywilllikelymoveontomoreformalcommitments.

Step 1:Cooperationagreementwiththeorganizationofthebarbéchas

thisistheformofcooperationthattookplaceintheprojectanditwasthechoiceofthepartnerstocooperateinthismanner.thiscamedowntosittingtogetheratformalplatformmeetingsandagreeingontheroles,obligationsandrightsoftheimplementingpartners:themunicipality,theassociationoftheBarbéchasandtheneighbourhoodassociations.

afterthefirstmonthofthiscooperation,andhavingseenafairlysolidcommitmentfromallpartners,themunicipalityoflamarsasteppeduptoofferaservicecontracttotheassociationforcleaningthebeachesofthemunicipality.aneighbourhoodassociationofferedtopayforthesocialandhealthcontributionsofthosebarbéchaswhoareservingtheirneighbourhoods.

Step 2a:servicecontractwiththemunicipalityoraprivateoperator

oncetheworkingrelationshipisestablished,directservicecontractsorsubcontractsbetweentheBarbechaorganizationandprivateoperatorscontractedbythemunicipalityarepossible.theexperiencefromotherintegrationmodelsshowsthatthisrequiressimplifiedtenderingprocesssothatBarbechaorganizationscanapply.supporttotheBarbéchasintheformoftrainings,workingequipmentandadvancepaymentisneededtomakethismodelsuccessful.

theservicecontractsmanagedbymicro-organizationsofpreviouslyinformalsectorworkerslikelyneedtoberelativelysmallscale(atleastatthebeginning)anditisanticipatedthatazone-basedmicro-managementis

requiredforthistypeofserviceprovision.

Step 2b:formalcooperationbetweenthemunicipalityasserviceproviderandtheinformalrecyclersassociation.

incasetheinformalrecyclersdonotentertheservicechainbutstayinthecollection,tradingandprocessingofrecyclables,contractscanbemuchsimplerandcanconsistofmerelypayingafeeequaltothesavedcostofcollectionandlandfillingtothosewastepickerswhoareregisteredtotheassociationandadheretoacodeofconduct.thismodelisemployedinBogota,Colombia.

signingacontractwithamunicipality,inordertoprovideremuneratedservices,issubjecttotheconditionsstipulatedbythecodeofpublicsector.thisdemandsthecreationofenterprises.theinformalsectorisnotyetsufficientlystructuredandneedsassistancetoaccommodateconditions.therecentprovisionconcerningsocialenterprisespresentlyrestrictstheeligibilitytothosewhohavegraduatedfromuniversities.

analternativetotheseroutescouldbethedirectemploymentaspartofthecitystaff.whilethisseemstobefeasibleincertaincountriesfortunisia,isdoesnotseemattractivesinceemploymentisbasedonanopencompetitionandisnotfavouringinformalsectorstaff.

4.5. Roles and interests of implementing partners

thethreeimplementingpartnersagreedtocooperatetogetherinthepilotdistrictsarerepresentativesof:- theBarbechaassociations- themunicipalities- theneighbourhoodCommittees/Citizenassociations

thethreepartieshadtomakedecisionsonorganizational,technical,logisticsandfinancingaspects.inthefollowingsections,theaimsandrolesofeachpartyarepresentedbrieflyinthewaytheyweredescribedinthethree-partitecooperationagreementsthatstandatthebasisofthepilotprojects.

4.5.1. barbéchasInterests:- professionalrecognition- increasedearningpotential- supportintermsofstorageplaceorequipment- accesstocreditsinordertobuytransportequipmentandotherequipment

obligationsa. takeontheresponsibilityofcollectingpetandcansfromthehouseholdsinthepilotzones(throughdoorbellorpickupofrecyclablesfromthefrontofthehouse).

b. maintainagoodrelationwiththecitizens(recognizecitizensascustomersofaservice).

4.5.2. MunicipalitiesInterests:- reducewasteaccumulationandlitteringthroughabetterseparationoftasksbetweenthemunicipalworkersandthebarbéchas:

- increaserecyclingratesandseparatewastetobelandfilled

- increasetheenvironmentalcomplianceandcleanlinessoftherecyclingvaluechain,especiallycollectionpoints

- improverecyclingrates- enhancecooperationwiththebarbéchas

obligations:a. provideaphysicallocationandparttimestafffortheliaisonoffice

b. Coordinatingtheactivitiesinthepilotdistrictc. provideapersonalizedbadgetothebarbéchas,indicatingthepilotdistrict

d. Coordinatetimingofthepublicservicewiththeinformalsectorservice

4.5.3. Neighbourhood committees:Interests:- increasedcleanlinessandrecyclingobligationsa. Contributetothecarryingoutthecustomersatisfactionsurvey

b. Contributetotheawarenessraisingcampaignc. Contributetomanagementandmonitoringd. participateinregularmeetingwiththemunicipalstaffandthebarbéchaassociationimplementingtheproject

1. improvedusersatisfaction,recyclingandcleanlinesslevels.

2. Barbechaandcommunityrelationsimprovedthroughthepilotprojects

3. thebarbéchahaveseenpotentialinimprovingtheproductivityoftheirwork;moreimportantly,theygainedasenseofprideintheirwork.

4. mediumtolongtermmunicipalinstitutionalsupporttotheassociationisneeded,specificallyintermsoftrainingandcoordination.

5. financialorphysicalsupportisneededfromthemunicipalityintermsofbettertransportequipment,storageplaceetc.toobtainlong-termresults.

6. neighbourhoodcommitteeshavethepotentialtostepupandtakeoversomepartsofmunicipalobligationsintermsofmonitoringandcoordination,andeventhesupporttothosebarbéchasworkingintheirarea.

LESSONS LEARNED


25

recyclingisinpartdrivenbypurelymaterialvalueandinpartenhancedthroughmarketinterventionsandeconomicinstrumentssuchasincentives,taxcuts,buybacksystemsandextendedproducerresponsibility(epr).

thegovernmentoftunisiahadanactiveroleinstructuringandoperatingthevaluechainforplasticpackagingintunisia.indeed,untilthecreationoftheeco-lefsystembydecreeinapril2001,therewasnocollectionofplasticintunisia,whilethepaper/cardboard,metalandglassweresubjecttoanactiveandintenseinformalrecycling.eco-lefhasbeentheoriginofthedevelopmentofmorethan320eco-lefpointsthatallowedthecollectionofaround16,000tonsayearofplasticpackagingwastes.dependingonthetypeofpolymer,70to90%ofthecollectedplasticwasteisrecycledthroughmorethan100agreementswithrecyclers.eco-lefhashelpedtocreate18,000jobsandaroundthirtymicro-enterprisesthroughthemechanism41ofthenationalemploymentfund.furthermore,thesystemhasdefinedpricesforplasticpackaging(petbottles,hdpebottles,filmsandldpebags,etc.),therebyjump-startingthemarketfortheserecyclables.

5.1. The Extended producer Responsibility (EpR) in Tunisia

thefirstchallengeofextendedproducerresponsibility(epr)istoimplementeffectivelythepolluter-paysandrecover-producerprinciples.intunisia,theproducersofplasticpackagingandthemanufacturersofconsumergoodsarecurrentlyexercisingthisresponsibility

5. Value chain interventions


26


27

collectivelythroughaneco-organization,eco-lef,whichfinancestheselectivecollectionandrecyclingofpackagingwaste.

however,eco-lefdoesnotfullyrespectthespiritofepr.indeed,financingisnotbasedonindividualcontributionspaidbyeachproducerbasedontheiroutputstoencouragethemtoreducewastethroughtheintroductionofeco-designinproductandpackagingandthusreducetheirtaxes.onthecontrary,eco-lefisfinancedthroughtheso-calledenvironmentalprotectiontaxwhosebaseisthesalepriceoftheproductandnotthecostofcollectionandtreatmentofpackagingwaste.infact,thistaxcollection,chosenforobviousreasonsoftaxefficiency,hasnodirectlinkwiththe«wastegenerationpotential«ofproducts,orwiththeabilityofproducerstoreducetheenvironmentalcostoftheend-user.thus,thissystemdoesnotconveyanyecologicalincentivestorewardtheindividualeffortofprevention.

5.2. Enhancing recycling through EpR

therefore,itisstronglyrecommendedtoredesigneco-leftomakeitanoperationaltooltopromotewasteprevention,basedonthreeprinciples:1) makeadirectlinkbetweenbetweenthecontributionofeachproducerandtheenvironmentalcostoftheproductstotheenduser;

2) providefullcostrecoveryforpackagingwastemanagedbymunicipalities;

3) introducequantifiableobjectivesforprevention,thatistargetsforreducingpackagingwastebyproducerperstream.

inpractice,developingacomprehensiveandgenuineerppolicyshouldbebasedonthefollowingaspects:• identificationofparticipantsinthescheme:wasteproducers,importers,retailers,collectors,recyclers,shouldbeencouragedtobeapproachedfirstviaincentivesandintimeviataxesinordertocollectandrecyclealltheusedproductsandgoods.

• initiateeco-design:forproducers,encouragedesigningproductsless«rich»inwastegenerationandmorepronetobeingrecycledthroughspecificincentivessuchassubsidiesandtaxcredittoresearchanddevelopmentexpenses,exemptionsfromvat,consumptiontaxes,customdutiesonmanufacturingequipmentandrawmaterialsthatreducewastegeneration(cleanerproduction)andtaxesforgoodsandproductsthatgenerateexcessivewaste.

• establishsustainablefinancingmechanismsforthemanagementofthesevaluechains,throughdepositsystemslinkedtoquantitiesandcharacteristicsofwastestreams.thesemechanismswillbedirectlymanagedbythesector.Barbéchasshouldbepartofthesystemasmainsuppliersoftherecycleablematerials.

5.3. Integration through EpR

Barbéchascurrentlycannotdirectlyaccessthecollectionpointsmanagedbyeco-lef–whichareopenonlytoholdersofcommerciallicense.inconsequence,themajorityofthebarbéchascannotbenefitfromthehighpriceguaranteedbyeco-lef,andarethereforeobligedtouseintermediariesofferinglowerprices.anged’spolicyistograduallywithdrawfromtheoperationofcollectionpointsandletthembeoperatedprivately.therefore,therealbeneficiariesofguaranteedpricesaretheseprivateoperatorsofcollectionpoints

whoarefreetofixpurchasepricesdownstreamwithbarbéchas.inordertostrengthentheregulatoryroleofeco-lefandmodifythecurrentsystemintoaninclusivevaluechainintervention,itisrecommended:- toallowbarbéchastoselldirectlytoeco-lefpoints.themarketwilllikelyreacttothismeasureandmiddlemensuchascollectorsandtraderswillchargelimitedmarginswhenpurchasingfrombarbéchas.

- tofocusinterventiononcertainrecyclablesthatwouldbeeligiblebutarecurrentlynotcollected

- tofocussubsidizedpricesforthoseplastictypesthatdonotcurrentlyhaveafullydevelopedmarket,butarepartoftheeprandcanbefundedfromepr

- tosetupabufferstocktohelpthesectorabsorbeconomicshocks(suchasthosein2008-2009or2012)

- tofostermunicipalitiestoenterintolong-termcollectioncontractswithbarbéchas.indeed,barbéchasareunabletoresiststrongfluctuationsinoilprices(andhencethepriceofplasticresins).

inadditiontothoserecommendations,itisalsodesirabletostrengthentheabilityofbarbéchastodirectlyreachmarketsofthecollectedplastics.oneoftheconstraintsoftherecoveryofplasticwasteisthelowproductivityofrecyclers,duebothtotheirlargenumber(over400havealicenseandmuchmoreareinformal,

accordingtodatafromanged)andthelimitedamountsofcollectedplastic.therefore,itisrecommendedtoreducethenumberofrecyclers,tostopissuinglicensestonewrecyclingcompaniesforplasticpackagingwasteandpotentiallyre-distributelicensesbasedoninclusiveefficiencycriteria.

5.4. Economic instruments for enhanced recycling

furthereconomicinstrumentsthatcouldpromotehigherdemandforrecyclables,thusbetterearningpotentialforrecyclers:• taxincentives:- totalorpartialexemptionfromcustomsduties,vatand/orconsumptiondutiesontheacquisitionoftoolsandmachinesforproductionofgoodsmadefromrecycledrawmaterial

- totalorpartialexemptionfromvatand/orconsumptiontaxesonacquisitionoftherecycledrawmaterial

- totalorpartialexemptionfromvatand/orconsumptiontaxesonthesaleofgoodsandproductsmadefromrecycledmaterials

• marketinstrument(otherthanepr):- assigningapercentageofpublicprocurementbidstoproductsandgoodsmadefromsecondarymaterials;

• subsidies:- partiallysupported/cappedinvestmentexpenditurefortheacquisitionoftoolsandmachinesforproductionofgoodsmadefromrecycledrawmaterial;and

- grantsupportofr&dfordevelopmentandmarketingofgoodsandproductsmadefromrecycledmaterials.

• eco-lefhasbeenagoodstarttoimplementplasticwastecollectionandrecycling.

• eco-lefneedstobere-designedtobecomeagenuineandeffectiveeprpolicy,meaningthatindividualtaxcontributionshouldbecalculatedinordertopromoteproductswithlowwastegeneration.Quantitativeobjectivesforwastereductionshouldbeintroduced.

• inclusiveeprispossiblethroughloweringmarketbarriersforbarbéchas,givingthemaccesstoguaranteedprices

LESSONS LEARNED


28


29

6.1. access to micro-financing

severalmicro-financeinstitutionscurrentlyoperateintunisiabutfewareactuallyinterestedinbarbéchasfinancing,mostlyduetotheirlackofunderstandingoftheirbusinessandtheirneeds.

severalmeetingswereheldwiththesefinancialinstitutionsandaworkinggrouphasbeensetuptoidentifywaystoeaseaccessforbarbéchastomicro-financing.

themainfinancialneedsofbarbéchasarerelatedtotheacquisitionofimprovedtransportationmeansandsimplebailingandprocessingequipment.Besidesthis,someofthemneedaloanforworkingcapitalasbeingabletobuyandstockmaterialsisimportantinthebusiness.

themainbarriersidentifiedarethelowamountofloansconnectedtotheperceivedlimitedrepaymentcapacityofbarbéchas,thecostofborrowing,andaboveall,theguaranteerequiredbymicro-financeinstitutions.whiletheBtsdoesnotformallyrequireaguaranteeasotherfinancinginstitutionsdo,itsuffersfromalowrecoveryrateof60%ofthecredits,theotherinstitutionsrequireeithertheguaranteeofanemployee,agrouporanassociation,oraclientoftherespective

financinginstitutionor,ifpossibleincaseofastandardequipmentapledgeontheequipment.

itshouldbenotedthatfollowingdiscussionswiththebarbéchas,endaandtaysirmicrofinanceinstitutionshavesetupspecificfundinginstrumentstomatchtheneedsandthesituationofbarbéchas.however,thebankguaranteeissueisstillnotaddressedandremainsthemajorobstacleforaccesstofinancing.

moreover,liaisonofficesinthetwopilotmunicipalitieshelpedfacilitatecontactsbetweenbarbéchasandmicro-financeinstitutions.itisthereforerecommended

6. Financing

• increasedunderstandingoftheactivityofresourcerecoveryandrecyclingonthepartofthemicro-financeinstitutionswillenablethecreationofsuitablefinancialproductsforbarbéchas

• financingisneededfortransportandequipmentforbaling,processingandstoring

• financingisneededtosupportworkingcapital• Bankguaranteesarecurrentlyanimportantbarriertothebarbécha’saccesstomicro-financing.

LESSONS LEARNED

toextendthispositiveexperiencetocontinuestaffindtheseliaisonofficesastrueone-stopbureausdedicatedtobarbécha’sproblemsoffering,amongotherservices,assistanceandtraininginaccesstofinanceandimprovedbusinessskills.

6.2. guarantee funds

ContactwasmadewiththetunisianguaranteeCompany(sotugar)tounderstandthetermsofitsmission.itappearsthatsotugarprovidesbankguaranteestolocalbanks,forloansborrowedbyprojectsponsorswhocannotgiveanyexternalpledgeontheirassetsagainstthepaymentofafeeamountingtoabout1%oftheloan.theclaimforthisguaranteeismadebythelendinginstitution.anyfinancialinstitutionasdefinedintheBankingactiseligibleforthismechanism-andthus,inparticular,Bts,endaandtaysirmicrofinanceareeligiblesincetheenactingofthenewlawonmicro-financing.

furthermore,thepossibilityhasbeenexploredthatangedormunicipalitiesvouchforbarbéchastoobtainmicro-credit.itturnsoutthatangedgrantedinthepastamoralguaranteeattherequestofBtsto5collectorswhohavecontractswiththeagency.however,angeddoesnotwanttoextendthisexperience,givenitslackofcapacities.themunicipalitiesoflamarsaandettadhamenhavearguedthepossibilityforbarbéchastopledgetheircontractswithmicro-financeinstitutions-theonlyproblemisthatbarbéchascanonlystrengthentheirtechnical(transportation)orfinancial(workingcapital)capacitiesonlyafterhavingsignedcontractwiththemunicipalities.

followingthediscussionheldwithmicrofinanceinstitutionsandrepresentativesofbarbéchas,ittranspiresthatitispossibletoaddresstheissueoftheguaranteerequiredforallmicrofinancingbytwoways:• askforasotugarguaranteeandhavethebeneficiariesoftheloanssupportthecostoftheguarantee;or

• encouragebarbéchastoestablishacompanyoraprofessionalassociation

• theimplementationofabankguaranteesupportedbyeitherangedormunicipalitiescannottobeseriouslyconsideredatthecurrentstage

• sotugarcouldprovideaguaranteegiventhecostofguaranteeiscovered.acooperationbetweenmicro-financinginstitutionsandsotugarisstronglyencouraged.

• theopportunityandworkingsoftheprofessionalassociationsofbarbéchasguaranteeingforitsmembersshouldbeexplored.

• advancepaymentsonservicecontractsandservicecontractswiththemunicipalitiescouldactasguaranteesinthemediumtolong-termfuture.

LESSONS LEARNED


30


31

improvingthemswmanagementsystem

improvethelivelihoodoftheis

selectingthepilotareas

establishingthebaseline

monitoringresults

professionalrecognition

accesstosocialandhealthcareservices

operatormodels

rulesofintegration

accesstofinancingsources

integrationthoughepr

participatoryapproach

Coveringalltheidentifiedneeds

Balancingthepublicinterestwithinformalsectorneeds

trainingsforinformalsector

awarenessraisingforlocalauthoritiesandpublic

organizingtheinformalsector

Buildingtrust

Communicationstrategy

needsassessment

7. Road Map for Structural Integration of Informal Sector in Solid Waste Management in Tunisia


32

Published by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH

Registered offices : Bonn and Eschborn, Germany

Solid Waste Exchange of Information and Expertise Network in Mashreq and Maghreb Countries (SWEEP-Net) GIZ Office Tunis B.P. 753 - 1080 Tunis Cedex - Tunisia T +216 71 28 05 57 [email protected] www.giz.de/www.sweep-net.org

Responsables Markus Luecke Julia Koerner Authors AIlyes Abdeljaouad Karim Zin El Abidine Abdelhamid Ghribi Reka Soos Dominique Thaly

Quality Review Anne Scheinberg Draft 3rd May 2015

Photos GIZ/SWEEP-Net

Layout i.Grafik

GIZ is responsible for the content of this publication.

On behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)

In cooperation with Agence Nationale de Gestion des Déchets (ANGed)

tunisia: national guidelines for structural integration of ... · tunisia: national guidelines for...

Documents