Every day, 4,000 tons of waste, mostly municipal solid waste (MSW), is transported to Jordan’s largest and most modern landfill, Al-Ghabawi. Situated in a semi-arid desert area 40 km from Amman, the site encompasses a 2000 km2 area of land unsuitable for cultivation with the nearest residential area 7 km away. Most of the waste originates from Amman, with smaller quantities coming from Russeifa and Zarqa, collectively accounting for 50% of the country’s total waste. Specialized steel-wheeled tractors drive over the waste heaps, compacting the material and removing oxygen, which subsequently facilitates anaerobic decomposition.
Of the nine landfill’s cells, cells no. 1, 2, 3, and 4 are capped, filled, and closed, while cell 5 is expected to be closed soon. Cell no. 6, however, is currently being filled and is expected to hold approximately 5.15 million tons of waste. The estimated lifespan for cells 1–9 is projected to extend until 2035. However, monitoring of the structure and electricity generation will continue for a prolonged period afterward.
The landfill cells occupy half of the Al-Ghabawi site, and the remaining 1000 km2 area can be utilized for new cells or other innovative waste management projects after 2035. The gas collection system engineered within the cells generates approximately 4.8 MW of electricity per hour, supplying 50% of the Greater Amman Municipality’s electricity consumption. The electrical capacity is expected to be expanded upon the completion of the remaining waste cells.
Leachate collection pond at the Al-Ghabawi Landfill
Leachate from the waste in the cells is collected via designed pumps and directed to collection ponds. Insulating protective material placed beneath the open ponds prevents infiltration into the groundwater and soil, allowing the pond water to evaporate at its own pace. Isolation materials are also used as a foundation for the cells, serving as protection against soil contamination and leakage. As part of the circular economy, the compost production from mixing food waste, horse manure and leaves has led to success since 2023. The success of the project has been the close collaboration of Greater Amman Municipality, AL-Ghabawi landfill and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and financial support of the EU.
The composition of leachate primarily depends on the climatic conditions of the geographical location, the waste composition, and the age of the landfill; regardless, there is a risk of heavy metal content. Nevertheless, the Ministry of Water’s new project, the construction of a wastewater treatment plant in Al-Ghabawi, which aims to develop and expand the water management system, will also address the leachate in the ponds. The sludge from the leachate, however, will be managed by Al-Ghabawi for recycling. The Ministry of Water’s innovation has been awarded a bronze accolade by the EBRD for its project, in recognition of its planning and solution-oriented approach to sustainable water management in practice.
Development and Progress
Jordan has a comprehensive legal and regulatory framework for environmental protection and solid waste management, including the Environment Protection Law No. 6 of 2017 and the Solid Waste Management Framework Law No. 16 of 2020, both enforced by the Ministry of Environment (MoEnV). This framework entails fines starting from 50 JD and upwards because of improper waste disposal, depending on the nature, form, and location of the littering. In response to the Ministry’s frustration over littering, fines were raised from 20 JD to 50 JD in 2020. Enforcement of the laws is followed by the Greater Amman Municipality and the Royal Department for Environment and Tourism.
Simultaneously, the Amman Municipality educates its employees and the public through lectures and courses on waste separation, recycling, sustainability, and the practical implications of environmental preservation. Environmental police visit schools to give lectures on environmental science, striving to instill environmental protection norms from an early age.
Challenges to Overcome
Continued population growth also leads to an increased volume of waste. The population in Jordan is expected to increase rapidly towards the year 2050. Some cities are still recovering from the influx from Syria, which significantly increased waste, while the country simultaneously faces a high financial burden and lack of large-scale recycling systems.
To keep pace with the high speed of large waste volumes, the “not in my backyard” and “the tragedy of the commons” mentality must change. When climate campaigns theoretically and visually convey that waste undergoes a long process—from collection, transportation, sorting, encapsulation, related pollutant emissions, along with technological and economic limitations, people understand that garbage does not vanish from existence after being thrown into the container.
Furthermore, cities need to implement lidded waste separation containers at all residential buildings. This would prevent cats or dogs from accessing the waste, thereby preventing them from tearing the waste bags and spreading the refuse on the sidewalks.
The Role of Waste Hierarchy in Waste Management
The waste hierarchy is made up of prevention, re-use, recycling, recovery, and finally landfill disposal, which stands in direct contrast to today’s global “buy and discard” culture.
Prevention: The first step at the top of the hierarchy refers to minimizing purchases. It is advised not to buy food when hungry and not to buy a garment immediately. Write a shopping list of what you need. If one sees a nice sweater they want to buy, they should wait a week before purchasing to ensure it is not a result of marketing automation used by the fashion industry, which triggers our brain’s reward system and makes us associate purchasing with happiness.
Re-use: Lending or borrowing clothes from friends is a much more environmentally friendly alternative. Circulating goods as much as possible extends the product’s life cycle, thus reducing the climate footprint and the burden on landfills. Or perhaps one can repurpose the garment by sewing on beads? Use your creativity.
Recycle: Separate the materials if prevention is not possible.
Recovery: Convert waste material into energy (electricity or heat) or send to landfill if it cannot be recycled.
Disposal: Landfill or incinerate it.
