Over the previous decade, Egypt’s plastic manufacturing business has skilled exceptional progress, contributing no less than 12 % to the nation’s GDP, with annual manufacturing reaching two million tons, based on a current report by the Info and Resolution Help Middle (IDSC) of the Egyptian Cupboard.
In 2022/2023, the nation generated 2.5 million tons of plastic waste, accounting for 10 to 14 % of its whole waste. The United Nations (UN) estimates that over the following decade, Egypt’s plastics market will develop at an annual price of 10 %, making it the biggest client of plastics in Africa, because it already consumes 11 % of the Center East’s share and 0.7 % of worldwide manufacturing.
Nevertheless, Egypt can also be the largest plastic polluter in each the Arab world and the Mediterranean, producing roughly 5 million metric tons of plastic yearly. Alarmingly, a 2022 research revealed that 92 % of fish species in Alexandria have been contaminated with microplastics. Fast urbanization, inhabitants progress, and insufficient waste administration methods have exacerbated this disaster.
This problem shouldn’t be confined to Egypt; globally, lower than 10 % of the seven billion tons of plastic waste produced is recycled. In consequence hundreds of thousands of tons of improperly discarded plastics find yourself polluting the surroundings. Nearly the entire world’s fish populations at the moment are contaminated with microplastics. Unprocessed waste that doesn’t attain the ocean is usually shipped for unsustainable incineration or landfill disposal, costing the worldwide economic system between USD 300 billion (EGP 14.5 trillion) and USD 600 billion (EGP 29 trillion) yearly.
The United Nations Surroundings Program (UNEP) defines plastic air pollution because the dangerous results and emissions ensuing from plastic manufacturing, consumption, and disposal. Key sources of plastic waste embody packaging, manufacturing, development, agriculture, fishing, power, style, tourism, and transportation.
The IDSC report notes that plastic air pollution more and more threatens ecosystems, biodiversity, local weather, and human well being, in the end undermining sustainable financial progress and human well-being.
Egypt’s recycling efforts
Regardless of the challenges, Egypt has taken important steps to cut back plastic use, notably single-use plastics, by way of legislative and regulatory frameworks aimed toward selling recycling. Notable measures embody the 2020 Waste Administration Act and native bans on single-use plastics in areas just like the Pink Sea Governorate.
The Ministry of Surroundings coordinates plastic waste discount methods, whereas the Ministry of Business fosters innovation and competitiveness in plastic manufacturing and recycling. Egypt’s Nationwide Technique for Lowering Single-Use Plastics, launched in 2022, goals to mitigate well being and environmental impacts by establishing a minimal thickness for plastic luggage and proscribing free distribution. The objective is to cut back plastic bag consumption to 50 luggage per particular person yearly by 2030, down from 565 luggage per particular person in Cairo in 2023.
The recycling sector is making strides, with about 1.5 million tons of plastic recycled in 2022/2023. Egypt ranks first regionally and 14th globally in recycling charges, at the moment working 28 recycling factories with plans to extend that quantity to 56, based on the IDSC.
Minister of Surroundings Yasmin Fouad additionally introduced in June that the federal government has invested EGP 9 billion (roughly USD 186 million) to develop a waste administration system in Egypt, together with establishing switch stations, recycling crops, and landfills. Built-in waste administration fashions have been established in Cairo, Alexandria, Kafr El Sheikh, Damietta, Port Stated, and Ismailiyah. Fouad additionally revealed plans to construct a switch station in Gharbia, which generates 3,000 tons of waste day by day, a step to make sure the sustainable operation of the governorate’s recycling plant.
Whereas these investments mark a major step towards enhancing waste administration in Egypt, the broader implications of plastic air pollution stay alarming.
Is it too late?
Based on the Organisation for Financial Co-operation and Improvement (OECD) estimates, if plastic manufacturing continues to rise with out efficient regulatory measures, plastic air pollution is predicted to triple by 2060, with plastic waste in oceans doubtlessly tripling by 2040.
Biodiversity is more and more threatened, with an estimated 19 to 23 million tons of plastic getting into aquatic ecosystems yearly, impacting marine life and organisms on land and rivers.
Plastic manufacturing, which is energy-intensive, additionally threatens world local weather targets, with emissions doubtlessly doubling to 4.3 gigatons of carbon dioxide by 2060, accounting for 4.5 % of worldwide greenhouse gasoline emissions.
Human well being is in danger as microplastics can enter the physique by way of inhalation or pores and skin absorption, accumulating in organs and linking sure chemical substances in plastics to critical well being circumstances comparable to weight problems, diabetes, and most cancers.
By 2024, world plastic waste manufacturing is anticipated to attain 220 million tons. China, the U.S., and India lead in waste technology, with China producing 55.7 million tons. The U.Ok. topped world plastic waste exports in 2023, valued at USD 371 million (EGP 17.9 billion), adopted by Germany and Japan. On the import aspect, the U.S. led with USD 306.7 million (EGP 14.8 billion), whereas international locations like France and Spain considerably diminished imports, and Malaysia noticed a slight improve.