Greenpeace MENA warns over new plastics plant in Morocco

Greenpeace Middle East and North Africa is urging Morocco to rethink expansion in single-use plastic after the opening of a new industrial packaging facility in Sidi Bou Othman on July 10, 2026. The group says any growth in the sector should be judged by its long-term impact on health, the environment and local communities, not just investment and jobs.

Why it matters: - Greenpeace Middle East and North Africa says Morocco should avoid locking in more single-use plastic production as governments worldwide move to tackle plastic pollution. - The group argues the issue is not only economic. It also affects public health, coastal ecosystems and local communities. - The debate matters for Morocco's climate and environmental goals, including action on climate strategy and renewable energy expansion.

What happened: - Greenpeace Middle East and North Africa issued a statement on July 10, 2026, after the opening of a new industrial facility for PlastikPack Maroc in Sidi Bou Othman. - Farah Al Khattab, plastics campaign lead at Greenpeace Middle East and North Africa, called on Morocco to move away from polluting single-use plastics and to expand reuse and refill systems. - Al Khattab said job creation, local manufacturing and economic growth should advance alongside environmental protection and public health.

The details: - Greenpeace says Morocco should ban single-use plastic and scale up reuse and refill systems. - Greenpeace says Morocco's stated environmental commitments support that shift, including climate action and greater use of renewable energy. - The group cited estimates that about 75,000 tons of plastic waste reach Morocco's marine environment each year. - Most of that waste is said to head toward the Atlantic Ocean, driven by population density and industrial activity around cities including Casablanca and Kénitra. - Greenpeace cited an estimated annual cost of about $26 million to Morocco's blue economy from plastic pollution. - That estimate includes losses in fisheries, tourism and maritime transport, plus cleanup costs and related environmental damage. - Al Khattab called on the Moroccan government and industry to align economic expansion with cuts in plastic pollution. - Greenpeace also called for a strong, binding global plastics treaty. - The group wants extended producer responsibility rules that make producers accountable for the full life cycle of their products, from design and production to collection, reuse, recycling and safe disposal. - The source text cites a study at the full report.

Between the lines: - The statement frames the plant opening as part of a broader policy fight over whether Morocco's industrial growth should continue to rely on disposable plastics. - Greenpeace is linking local manufacturing decisions to wider costs that may not show up in factory-level investment figures. - The group's argument is that short-term economic gains could deepen long-term environmental and financial losses if plastic production keeps expanding.

What's next: - Greenpeace is pressing Moroccan policymakers to adopt stronger anti-pollution rules and push for a global plastics treaty. - The group wants the government to prioritize circular-economy policies that reduce single-use plastic production. - The next policy test is whether Morocco responds with tighter producer accountability or continues to support sector expansion.

The bottom line: - Greenpeace says Morocco can create jobs and grow industry without expanding dependence on single-use plastics.