Egypt’s Minister of Environment, Dr. Yasmine Fouad, recently conducted an inspection visit to the plastic waste recycling site on Qarsaya Island in the Giza region, which is the headquarters for the “Very Nile” initiative. The initiative focuses on preserving the environment through the sorting, recycling, and safe disposal of plastic waste collected by fishermen and volunteers from the Nile River.
During her visit, Dr. Fouad was briefed on the project’s phases, including the collection and recycling processes for the waste gathered from the Nile. She emphasized that the island has become a hub for a project that successfully integrates local residents and fishermen in efforts to clean up the river, turning them into essential partners, which has been a key factor in the initiative’s success. The project also provides women with job opportunities through a workshop that recycles plastic waste into eco-friendly products.
The Minister expressed her delight in supporting the “Very Nile” initiative from its inception, highlighting the Ministry of Environment’s crucial role in removing waste from the Nile to restore its environmental and aesthetic value. The initiative also helped foster growing participation from youth and civil society in subsequent activities, leading to the project’s expansion.
Furthermore, Dr. Fouad led a plastic waste clean-up campaign in the Nile, partnering with the “Very Nile” initiative. The campaign also saw participation from Yasser Abdullah, Head of the Waste Management Regulatory Authority, Eng. Yousra Abdel Aziz, Head of the Ministry’s Plastic Unit, and a group of volunteers.
The Minister reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to supporting and encouraging environmental initiatives launched by civil society organizations. She emphasized the importance of raising awareness about the necessity of protecting the Nile from plastic pollution, reducing plastic waste, and promoting recycling practices while also encouraging the use of eco-friendly alternatives.
During the visit, Dr. Fouad witnessed the signing of a cooperation protocol between the Waste Management Regulatory Authority, the Ministry of Environment, and the “Very Nile” initiative, represented by the Basita Consultancy Company. The protocol aims to enhance coordination, provide technical support for regular Nile cleaning campaigns, and organize awareness sessions for all community segments. Yasser Abdullah, Head of the Waste Management Regulatory Authority, and Alban de Minoville and Hani Fawzy, representatives of Basita Consultancy, signed the agreement.
Dr. Fouad emphasized that the cooperation protocol aligns with the Ministry’s broader environmental protection and sustainable development efforts. It also supports the vision of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s “Go Green” initiative, which aims to raise environmental awareness among the public and foster volunteer activities to protect the environment.
According to the protocol, the Waste Management Regulatory Authority will support “Very Nile” with technical expertise to organize clean-up campaigns, utilizing licensed fishermen, volunteers, and specialized boats to collect waste from the Nile. Under “Very Nile” initiative , awareness sessions will take place about environmental protection and the importance of safe waste disposal.
The protocol also includes providing green job opportunities for local communities, particularly focusing on youth and women, with strict adherence to ensuring no child labor is involved.
At the conclusion of her visit, Dr. Fouad honored several workers involved in the “Very Nile” initiative for their efforts, recognizing two fishermen with the highest plastic waste collection rates, a waste sorting worker, and three women working in the plastic recycling workshop.
