Textile recycling in Morocco poised to generate $1.9bn and 30,000 jobs

Morocco’s textile industry could see a major transformation through circular economy practices, attracting up to $1.9 billion in private investment and creating over 30,000 jobs. This potential stems from recycling textile waste, reducing environmental impact, and meeting European demand for better-tracked garments.

A pilot program conducted with international backing exceeded its initial targets twofold, resulting in 2,400 tonnes of textile scraps destined for recycling and 427 tonnes already converted into new materials. This progress gives industrial weight to a sector previously fragmented among workshops, informal collectors, and low-value outlets.

Using recycled fibres could cut carbon emissions by 18% and reduce water consumption by over 60% compared to conventional processes. This is significant for an industry facing pressure from European buyers, local water constraints, and consumer demands for transparency.

European traceability and customs framework

The analysis also links this potential to social change: more than 80% of Morocco’s textile waste collectors still work without official recognition. Yet up to three-quarters of these workers could enter the formal sector within five years if appropriate public policies are implemented, bringing gains in declared income, social protection, and professional structure.

Morocco is well-positioned to become a regional hub for sustainable textiles, thanks to its proximity to Europe, manufacturing expertise, and international demand for lower-impact products. However, precise adjustments are needed: recognition of textile scraps as reusable materials, adaptation of customs rules, and creation of traceability systems compatible with EU standards. This is strategically important as the EU absorbs 93% of Morocco’s textile sales and will implement a digital product passport from 2027, requiring a QR code or NFC chip with verifiable data on environmental footprint, traceability, and composition – effectively making documentation compliance a market access condition.