Tunisian Environment Minister Announces Major PCB Removal Initiative
Youssef Zaidi, Director of Industrial Environment at the Ministry of Environment, announced on Tuesday, 2 September 2025 that polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) – a hazardous substance primarily found in legacy electrical transformers – are extremely dangerous. PCBs accumulate in the human body and can travel long distances through water, air, or soil. Their concentration is measured in parts per million (ppm).
International Context
Speaking on the TV program “Youm Saïd,” Zaidi explained that the international community has adopted the Stockholm Convention to encourage countries to safely eliminate persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and prevent their reuse. Tunisia has joined this effort and is seeking foreign financing to help industrial operators dispose of PCBs by exporting the waste to developed nations for proper treatment.
The Tunisian Project
- Target: Collect and treat 400 tonnes of PCBs.
- Partnerships:
- A Dutch company selected by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) will conduct on‑site inspections at each factory to quantify PCB stocks and identify the most effective intervention methods.
- An Spanish firm will handle the subsequent treatment and final disposal.
Zaidi emphasized that the entire collection, transport, and export process for the 400 tonnes must be completed within six months, i.e., by the end of March 2026.
Companies and Entities Involved
The project will involve a wide range of Tunisian industrial actors, including:
- Tunisian Chemical Group
- Gafsa Phosphate Company
- Tunisian Electricity and Gas Company (STEG)
- El Fouladh Plant
- Various cement factories
- National Alfa Paste and Paper Company in Kasserine
- Numerous private industrial firms
- Government ministries such as Agriculture and Higher Education & Scientific Research
Call to Action
Zaidi urged industrial stakeholders to actively participate in the program, facilitate PCB collection, and cooperate with foreign experts to accelerate the removal process.
Additional Sources of PCBs
He also reminded listeners that PCBs can be found in small quantities within certain flame‑retardant insulating materials and fire‑resistant plastics.
Keywords: polychlorinated biphenyls, PCBs, Tunisia environment ministry, Stockholm Convention, persistent organic pollutants, PCB removal project, UNEP, Dutch inspection company, Spanish treatment firm, industrial waste management, environmental safety.
