Amman, 14 October 2025 – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Jordan and the Ministry of Environment launched the “Circular Solutions to Plastic Pollution” project to eliminate single-use plastic materials in Jordan’s food and beverage sector.

Funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the project aims to reduce environmental and health risks caused by plastic waste by cutting 5,000 tons of plastic waste and 17,000 tons of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions over the next five years.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Ayman Suleiman, Minister of Environment, highlighted that the launch of the project reflects the Ministry’s belief in the importance of public–private partnerships as a fundamental pillar of the transition to a circular economy. He added that the project will help strengthen the legislative and regulatory framework to phase out single-use plastics and encourage industrial innovation towards environmentally friendly alternatives.

The minister stressed that the project’s objectives are aligned with the Economic Modernization Vision, which seeks to build a competitive, productive economy driven by innovation and balanced growth—integrating environmental sustainability with social and economic justice.

The project represents a key step in Jordan’s efforts to transition towards a green and circular economy, advancing sustainable consumption and production patterns in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and aligns with Jordan’s national waste management framework (Law No.16/2020).

For her part, Randa Aboul-Hosn, UNDP Resident Representative in Jordan, reaffirmed UNDP’s commitment to supporting the Government of Jordan in fulfilling its national and international environmental commitments. She noted that the project will directly contribute to advancing Sustainable Development Goals 11, 12, 13 and 14, while enhancing public–private collaboration through the establishment of a national platform to facilitate knowledge exchange, promote best practices, and leverage international experience to strengthen Jordan’s transition towards a circular economy.

The Resident Representative emphasized that the growing volume of plastic use and waste compounds environmental and health risks, underscoring the importance of adopting sound legislation and effective waste management practices to reduce pollution and safeguard human health and the environment.

The launch ceremony, held in Amman under the patronage of Dr. Ayman Suleiman, brought together representatives from the GEF, UNDP, and key partners from the public and private sectors. Participants exchanged forward-looking ideas on environmental policies and regulation, and on ways to strengthen the role of the private sector and financing in circular solutions and sustainability nationwide.

UNDP Jordan manages a significant portfolio of solid waste management projects in partnership with the Government of Jordan, covering different parts of the country, including cutting-edge recycling plants designed to help drive investment in this vital sector.

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