Identifying the problem
Egypt generates about 80 million tons of solid rubbish every year. In particular, Egypt has a plastic waste problem, as at least 970,000 tons of plastic waste is produced annually, according to media statements in 2018 by the Egyptian Plastic Technology Centre, (affiliated with the Ministry of Industry and Trade). Egypt is full of plastic that finds its way into the River Nile, the Red Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea, with 43% of all plastic waste in the Mediterranean originating from Egypt. The Zabaleen (Arabic for waste collectors) go through mountains of garbage to collect trash and they recycle 80 per cent of it, however, this comes with a high health cost.
What is the legislature on plastic waste in Egypt?
In April 2019, Red Sea Governor, Ahmed Abdallah, issued a decree banning the use of single-use plastic bags in businesses because most single-use plastics after being used once are discarded creating unnecessary waste.
Hand in hand with this legislation, the Hurghada Environmental Protection and Conservation Association (HEPCA) organized multiple public events to raise awareness about this law, including workshops, conferences and public meetings in Hurghada. HEPCA’s appeal encouraged other NGOs and environmentalists across Egypt to consider how to affect the same in their respective districts.
Why is plastic waste production still prominent?
Egypt’s high level of plastic pollution is largely driven by poor waste management. Waste is collected and treated at a very low rate in Egypt leading to the piling of waste, with the open dumping of the waste remaining a problem. Furthermore, there is a lack of formal recycling mechanisms in Egypt.
How has the coronavirus pandemic affected the use of plastic?
During the pandemic, there was a dramatic increase in the use of single-use plastic components, as masks, gloves and hand sanitizer was used every day. This has led to an increase in plastic waste, making the situation worse.
What are the consequences of plastic pollution?
According to studies published in 2021, up to 100k microplastic specks are ingested by individuals every day. This can lead to serious health issues such as inflammation, cancer, or damage to one’s reproductive system. In addition, plastic waste is clogging up the sea. Other environmental effects of plastic pollution are the increase in temperature, rising sea levels and melting ice. There are also economic implications of plastic pollution.
Conclusion
Egypt’s new Waste Management Act sets clear guidelines on how waste shall be collected, disposed and recycled, however it remains unknown how effective it will be. The government plans to integrate the Zabaleen into the system as employees however, the Zabbaleens are not satisfied. Egypt’s waste management system needs improvement for the situation to get better.
