Algeria Adopts New Law to Strengthen Waste Management and Advance Circular Economy

An January 23, 2025, Die Algerian Press Agency announced that the Council of the Nation has adopted a new law modifying and supplementing Law 01-19 on waste management, control, and elimination. This legislative update represents a major step towards developing a green economy and establishing a circular economy in Algeria. The new framework strengthens legal, regulatory, and institutional measures to improve waste management practices nationwide.

The law introduces comprehensive measures for integrated waste management, including the implementation of a digital waste management system to enhance efficiency. It also aligns with international principles of the circular economy, as recognized by the United Nations, by incorporating Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), which requires producers and waste holders to ensure proper waste valorization.

A key focus of the legislation is the promotion of eco-design, encouraging businesses to develop products that minimize environmental impact across their lifecycle while maintaining functionality. The law also establishes a hierarchical classification of waste treatment methods and initiates the progressive elimination of single-use plastic products.

To encourage sustainable waste management, producers and distributors are urged to implement consumer incentive programs for selective waste collection. Additionally, the law introduces revised penal provisions and stricter sanctions to enforce compliance and deter violations related to waste management practices.

This legal update marks a transformative shift in Algeria’s approach to sustainability and waste regulation, reinforcing the country’s commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainable development. Stakeholders in waste management, manufacturing, and distribution should closely examine the new requirements to ensure compliance and actively contribute to Algeria’s evolving circular economy framework.