Project “PLAST’ILE: Sustainable disposal and management of plastic waste on the islands – Kerkennah island, Tunisia”

Location: Kerkennah, Tunisia

Duration: 3 years (January 2021 – December 2023)

Financial and institutional partners: French Facility for Global Environment (FFEM), Earthwake

Local partners: Municipality of Kerkennah, Ministry of Local Affairs and Environment, Coastal Planning and Protection Agency (APAL), Waste Management National Agency (ANGED)

Global budget: 1,000,000 €

Project description

Since 2019, the island of Kerkennah has an Island Committee as part of the SMILO labeling process. This body has identified waste management, and more particularly plastic waste management, as a major issue. Building on current initiatives, SMILO aims to further the work initiated on the collection, treatment and recovery of used plastic traps from fishing activities. Ecosystems are already paying the price, but today it is also the quality of life of islanders that is affected by this macro-plastic waste.

Keen to initiate an effective transition, SMILO is joining forces with Earthwake to go further and to stimulate a more sustainable management of plastic waste. Earthwake created a unique low-tech machine: the Chrysalis 40, which is today the only functional low-tech pyrolysis machine that can go directly to polluted areas, encouraging the collection of plastic waste and providing a source of energy.

The installation of a Chrysalis 40 on the island of Kerkennah will make it possible to recover plastic waste that is not recyclable, as it is soiled. Training will then be set up in the use and maintenance of the machine by local employees.