In conjunction with the global Plastic-Free July month initiative, Lafarge Egypt, a global leader in innovative and sustainable building materials and solutions and a member of Holcim Group, has jointly collaborated with Geocycle Egypt, a fully integrated leading waste management service provider, to launch a voluntary initiative aimed at removing plastic waste from the Nile River, in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Egypt’s Vision 2030.
The remarkable initiative hinges on cleaning the Nile water from all plastic wastes in Dahab Island, with the active and voluntary participation of around 35 Lafarge Egypt and Geocycle Egypt employees.
Reportedly, Geocycle Egypt will take charge of treating the waste collected with a process called “co-processing”, where all waste is reused as an alternative energy source instead of burning fossil fuels in cement.
This move comes in line with Lafarge Egypt and Geocycle Egypt’s sustainability strategy, which focuses on environmental, economic, and social aspects of sustainability for a greener future. This will be achieved through preserving natural resources, the use of eco-friendly raw materials in manufacturing processes, sustainable and safe waste management practices, and the promotion of clean energy usage.
This initiative is considered a critical and effective step in raising awareness about the danger of plastic pollution and the importance of improving the environment. It also encourages active participation in maintaining cleanliness in the region.
Additionally, it confirms the commitment of Lafarge Egypt and Geocycle Egypt to adhering to their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and motivates employees to adopt a culture of voluntary participation, enhancing their sense of belonging to the community and improving the quality of life in the region at large.
The two companies are committed to complying with health and safety regulations, which aligns with Holcim’s net-zero pledge by accelerating green growth and buildings progress for people and the planet. These efforts are also in line with Egypt’s plan to transition to a green economy and its efforts to adopt sustainable technologies to achieve Egypt’s Vision 2030.
It is worth noting that Lafarge Egypt and Geocycle Egypt have been continuously making efforts to protect the waters of the Nile River from pollution, and this initiative is not the first of its kind. Last year, they took the initiative to clean up Baltim Beach from plastic waste, as they are committed to providing environmental initiatives that support local communities and leave a positive environmental footprint.