Duhok strengthens its environmental strategy as its main waste sorting facility handles nearly 600 tons of garbage each day. The plant runs nonstop and uses a strict three-shift system. Workers rotate without pause, and the city pushes forward with a plan to build a full local recycling network. The Duhok plastic recycling project now stands at the center of this effort.
Every day, teams sort mountains of waste and extract reusable material. Reporters toured the site and confirmed the impressive daily volume. Moreover, workers separate around 23 percent of this waste as plastic. This number shows the city’s growing consumption and the urgent need for a complete recycling cycle.
Currently, Duhok sends all sorted plastic to destinations outside the region. However, local authorities want to change this system. They want to keep both the environmental value and economic benefit inside the province. Therefore, the Duhok plastic recycling project now moves into a more advanced phase.
During a visit to the plant, administrative director Diyar Sadiq explained the next steps. He confirmed that the team plans to build the city’s first dedicated plastic recycling plant within six to twelve months. The new section will sit inside the current waste plant. Sadiq also revealed details about international cooperation with partners in the Netherlands. Local staff already completed advanced training abroad, and they now prepare to introduce new recycling technology in Duhok.
Sadiq said the new facility will transform the waste cycle. “The plastic will not return to landfills,” he said. “We will recycle it here and reuse it.” With this plan, the city aims to close the loop and support a circular economy.
The existing waste plant already shows long-term investment. Duhok opened the first phase in 2011 and expanded it in 2015. Today, the operation employs more than 150 workers. Most team members sort waste directly, and their work ensures a high recovery rate. Meanwhile, the city sends only about 20 percent of unsortable waste to landfills. Workers also convert part of the organic material into agricultural fertiliser. This step strengthens local farming and reduces unnecessary dumping.
Environmental experts support these measures. Specialist Hazim Abdi stressed the dangers of plastic pollution. He said plastic reacts with soil and damages the ecosystem. It then enters crops and reaches consumers. Therefore, he urged rapid action through the Duhok plastic recycling project.
With strong coordination, continuous work, and international backing, Duhok now takes a major step toward cleaner streets and a safer environment.
