25 billion pounds for Egypt's first waste recycling integrated complex

Yasser Abdullah Mahjoub, Assistant Minister of Environment for Waste Affairs and Acting President of the Waste Management Regulatory Authority, has confirmed that the ministry is undertaking the establishment of Egypt's inaugural integrated city for waste recycling in the Tenth of Ramadan City, with investments totaling 25 billion Egyptian pounds. This new city will encompass the creation of a suite of integrated factories for recycling solid, medical, and electronic waste.

Mahjoub stated that the new waste management system will play a significant role in mitigating the environmental damages stemming from waste accumulation, which has burdened the environment for over 30 years. Moreover, waste recycling will yield economic returns through the production of high-quality organic fertilizers, suitable for major agricultural projects like "Future of Egypt" and "East Owainat," and will provide thousands of employment opportunities.

In remarks to "Al-Watan," Mahjoub added that the Ministry of Environment is actively working to enhance working conditions for irregular laborers in waste collection by offering training programs and supplying personal protective equipment. He affirmed that the new project in the Tenth of Ramadan City will ensure a healthy work environment and suitable residential facilities for workers, guaranteeing them a dignified life.

He further affirmed that the ministry is collaborating with various state institutions to provide insurance coverage and a decent life for waste collection workers. To this end, cooperation protocols have been signed with the ministries of solidarity, labor, and local development to provide health and social insurance for workers in the integrated waste management system, in addition to organizing training programs and workshops to train them on safe waste collection and sorting techniques.

Mahjoub also highlighted ongoing efforts to formalize the conditions of sanitation workers by establishing residential areas for their accommodation and providing a healthy and safe work environment. Currently, irregular laborers are being registered through the Ministry of Environment's website to establish an integrated database enabling the provision of necessary support. He reiterated the ministry's commitment to developing the waste management system, including providing more training programs for irregular laborers and ensuring a dignified life for them after years of neglect and disregard.

Radwa Hashem contributed to this report.