MOROCCO: Arma deploys trucks and containers for its first clean-up operation in Taza

When you think of Morocco, the first cities that spring to mind are Rabat, Casablanca, and Marrakech. These metropolises are renowned for their modern infrastructure and, above all, for their level of cleanliness. But further north, as in the town of Taza (in the Fès region), the attractiveness of these cities is not yet at its best. The authorities are aware of this and are stepping up their clean-up initiatives.

The municipality has just acquired 20 lorries, 200 containers and 200 workers through Arma, the new company in charge of waste collection. The task will not be so simple with this equipment, because the local authorities are betting big. The city of 148,000 inhabitants is keen to make the most of its enormous tourist potential, which includes valleys and mountains.

And so, leaving rubbish lying around is out of the question. “A specific programme will be put in place to deal with black spots in a methodical way, while at the same time stepping up sweeping in the streets, alleyways and neighbourhoods,” explains Abdelouahed Massaoudy, President of the Taza Local Council. To meet this challenge, Arma will be drawing on its national expertise.

The company operates in 27 Moroccan towns and cities, including Ifrane and El Jadida, where it is responsible for the development and maintenance of green spaces and sanitation. But it is in Rabat that Arma has made its mark for the time being. It has acquired a 27-tonne electric truck to boost its fleet and efficiency in the Moroccan capital. The vehicle was delivered in March 2023 by Volvo Trucks, the heavy goods vehicle subsidiary of Swedish carmaker Volvo. This eco-responsible investment will save 30 tonnes of CO₂ emissions a year in waste transport.