Tunisia Clean up: the 'barbachas', soon, integrated into the waste sorting sector

In a significant move towards environmental sustainability and social inclusion, the Tounes Clean-up association is spearheading an ambitious project to formally integrate Tunisia's informal waste collectors, often referred to as 'barbachas,' into the national waste management system. This initiative, announced by association president Houssem Hamdi, aims to establish a dedicated waste sorting center within the historic Medina of Tunis in the coming weeks.

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According to the declarations of Houssem Hamdi, President of the association, this Sunday, May 10, 2026, a sorting center should be set up in the coming weeks in the heart of the Medina of Tunis.

This project is particularly noteworthy as it seeks to lift 'barbachas' out of precarious informal labor and into a structured, organized system. By providing them with a recognized role and a dedicated facility, Tounes Clean-up is not only addressing waste management challenges but also offering a pathway to improved livelihoods and dignity for a often-marginalized segment of the population. Hamdi stressed the strategic importance of this move, highlighting its potential to create a more efficient and equitable waste sorting process.

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This project must allow us to lift the collectors out of precarious informality and integrate them into an organized and structured system.

Beyond this social integration aspect, Tounes Clean-up continues its vital work of cleaning Tunisia's natural spaces. With the summer tourist season approaching, the association is intensifying its efforts on beaches and in forest areas, collecting tons of waste from single locations. Hamdi reiterated urgent warnings about the devastating ecological and health impacts of cigarette butts, plastic, and glass, underscoring the need for greater public awareness and responsible disposal habits.

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The quantities collected on a single beach can be counted in tons, reiterating his warnings against the devastating ecological and sanitary impact of cigarette butts, plastic and glass.

Furthermore, the association has shed light on the alarming issue of food waste in Tunisia, which Hamdi described as "very serious." With annual losses exceeding 480 million dinars, this represents a significant economic and environmental burden for a country that imports wheat and subsidizes basic goods. Tounes Clean-up's multi-pronged approach demonstrates a holistic commitment to tackling environmental degradation and promoting sustainable practices across Tunisia, from urban centers to its cherished coastlines.

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qualifying the situation as 'very serious'.