Speaker
Description
Plastic waste management has emerged as one of the most pressing environmental, economic, and social challenges worldwide. The massive accumulation of plastics, their low biodegradability, and their uncontrolled dispersion across ecosystems are placing increasing pressure on waste management systems. In developing countries, and particularly in Morocco, this issue is exacerbated by rapid urbanization and rising consumption levels, contrasted with limited infrastructure for waste sorting, collection, and recycling. Despite the progress achieved through the National Household Waste Management Plan (PNDM) and the National Strategy for Waste Reduction and Recovery (SNRVD), the plastic recycling sector remains underdeveloped, limiting its contribution to national sustainability strategies.
Within this context, the present research explores the potential of transforming plastic waste into a strategic resource by incorporating it into construction materials. The analysis is framed by the theoretical approaches of the circular economy and ecological transition, complemented by concepts of environmental innovation and corporate social responsibility (CSR). The underlying hypothesis is that integrating recycled plastics into materials such as concrete, bricks, paving blocks, or asphalt can simultaneously reduce the ecological footprint of the construction sector and generate tangible economic benefits, while fostering sustainable investment and territorial resilience.
The methodology applied combines two complementary components. First, a systematic review of international scientific and technical literature was conducted to assess the mechanical and environmental performance of construction materials incorporating recycled plastics. Second, an examination of Moroccan regulatory and institutional frameworks was carried out to identify both the opportunities and the barriers to the development of such a sector. This dual approach, bridging technical insights with policy analysis, provides a critical and forward-looking perspective on how this innovation could be positioned within Morocco’s sustainability trajectories.
The findings highlight several converging outcomes. From a technical standpoint, the incorporation of plastic waste can improve properties such as strength, durability, and lightness, while reducing reliance on conventional raw materials. From an environmental perspective, this practice significantly diverts plastics from landfilling and incineration, thereby lowering the carbon footprint of construction activities. From an economic perspective, it generates cost-saving opportunities for the construction industry while opening new avenues for entrepreneurship and green investments, in line with the objectives of a circular economy.
Nevertheless, the study also reveals persistent structural limitations that hinder large-scale adoption. The absence of specific technical standards regulating the use of recycled plastics in construction remains a critical barrier, compounded by the weak structuring of the recycling market in Morocco and the lack of adequate financial incentives to support sustainable investment. These challenges underline the necessity of enhanced public–private collaboration, supported by targeted policies and strategic partnerships, to foster an enabling ecosystem for green innovation.
Thus, plastic waste valorization in construction materials should not be viewed solely as a technical alternative but rather as a strategic lever at the intersection of environmental policies, industrial innovation, and local economic dynamics. The challenge extends beyond waste reduction: it embodies the opportunity to contribute to a systemic transformation towards sustainability, where plastics are no longer perceived as a constraint but redefined as a vector of ecological transition and green growth.
Keywords: plastic waste, circular economy, ecological transition, sustainable construction, Morocco.
