Single use plastics constitutes a major challenge. These products that are meant for single use only are produced in large quantities and made of materials that are not biodegradable. While, recycling can alleviate the problem, out of the 300 million tons of plastics that are globally produced annually, only 10-13% are recycled. The rest end up in landfill, make their way into oceans and rivers, or incinerated releasing toxic substances in the soil, oceans, air. In addition, it reaches the human’s food chain as a result of being consumed by wildlife. No wonder that micro-plastics have been identified in humans, causing serious health issues.

In the Egyptian context, there are 970,000 tons of plastic waste generated each year including 12 billion plastic bags. Only 45% of this plastic waste is recycled, while the rest pollute the cities, water, farms, incinerated in unregulated way, or destroy natural habitats.

There are positive signs, however. the Red Sea Governorate has issued a ban on single-use plastics, an Egyptian member of parliament is proposing a similar ban on the country level.

Cairo Hub aims to increase awareness regarding the problem and take action by partnering with different stakeholders to limit its consumption.