Egypt’s plastic production industry grows, contributing 12% to GDP, but rising pollution challenges efforts to reduce waste and improve recycling through new regulations.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Over the last decade, Egypt’s plastic production industry has witnessed rapid growth, contributing 12 percent to the nation’s GDP and reaching two million tons annually, according to a recent report from the Information and Decision Support Center (IDSC) of the Egyptian Cabinet.
However, this growth comes at a significant environmental cost, as Egypt now ranks as the most prominent plastic polluter in the Arab world and the Mediterranean region.
Rising Plastic Production and Waste
In 2022/2023, Egypt generated 2.5 million tons of plastic waste, accounting for 10 to 14 percent of the country’s total waste.
With the plastics market expected to grow by 10 percent annually over the next decade, Egypt is projected to become the largest consumer of plastics in Africa.
The country consumes 11 percent of the Middle East’s plastic output and 0.7 percent of global production.
However, Egypt’s rapid industrialization and inadequate waste management systems have exacerbated its plastic pollution crisis.
The country produces approximately five million metric tons of plastic annually, with significant environmental repercussions.
A 2022 study revealed that 92 percent of fish species in Alexandria were contaminated with microplastics, underscoring the severity of the problem.
Global Plastic Pollution: A Widespread Crisis
Egypt’s plastic pollution issue is part of a more significant global problem.
Worldwide, less than 10 percent of the seven billion tons of plastic waste produced is recycled, with millions of tons improperly disposed of, polluting oceans and ecosystems.
The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) defines plastic pollution as the harmful effects of plastic production, consumption, and disposal on the environment, biodiversity, and human health.
This widespread pollution costs the global economy between USD 300 billion and USD 600 billion annually.
Steps Toward Sustainability: Egypt’s Recycling Efforts
Despite these challenges, Egypt is making significant strides toward reducing plastic use and improving waste management.
The government has enacted a series of legislative and regulatory frameworks to promote recycling and curb the use of single-use plastics.
Notably, the 2020 Waste Management Act and localized bans on single-use plastics in areas like the Red Sea Governorate reflect these efforts.
In 2022, Egypt launched its National Strategy for Reducing Single-Use Plastics, which aims to mitigate the environmental and health impacts of plastic consumption.
The strategy establishes regulations, such as a minimum thickness for plastic bags and limits on free distribution, to reduce plastic bag consumption from 565 bags per person annually in 2023 to 50 bags per person by 2030.
Recycling initiatives have also gained momentum. Egypt recycled 1.5 million tons of plastic in 2022/2023, positioning itself as the leading recycler in the region and 14th globally.
The country currently operates 28 recycling factories, with plans to increase that number to 56.
Investments in Waste Management
The Egyptian government has committed significant resources to improving its waste management infrastructure to support these efforts.
Minister of Environment Yasmin Fouad announced in June 2023 that the government had invested EGP 9 billion (approximately USD 186 million) in developing transfer stations, recycling plants, and landfills.
Integrated waste management models have been established in cities such as Cairo, Alexandria, and Port Said, with plans to expand further into regions like Gharbia, which generates 3,000 tons of waste daily.
The Global Outlook: Is It Too Late?
Despite these positive steps, plastic pollution remains a pressing concern worldwide.
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) projects that plastic production could triple by 2060 without effective regulatory measures.
Plastic waste in oceans is also expected to triple by 2040, with 19 and 23 million tons of plastic entering aquatic ecosystems annually.
The environmental and health implications are severe. Plastic production, which is highly energy-intensive, threatens global climate goals.
By 2060, emissions from plastic production could double to 4.3 gigatons of carbon dioxide, accounting for 4.5 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions.
Furthermore, the presence of microplastics in the environment raises significant health risks, as they can be ingested or absorbed into the body, contributing to conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and cancer.
Conclusion
While Egypt’s efforts to combat plastic pollution are commendable, the scale of the problem remains daunting.
The government’s focus on recycling and reducing plastic use represents a step in the right direction.
However, sustained investment in waste management infrastructure and more robust regulatory measures will be essential to address the growing crisis.
As the global plastic pollution problem escalates, Egypt’s ability to balance economic growth with environmental responsibility will be critical to its long-term success in creating a sustainable future.
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