In 2012, Egyptian industries, agriculture and households generated more than a tonne of waste per capita per year. A substantial amount of the waste went untreated into rivers or onto roads and outdoor areas, with only about 60% of the waste collected, less than 20% of which was properly disposed of or recycled.
The inadequate waste management infrastructure not only endangers the environment, but also human health. Therefore, the primary objective for the region is to make waste disposal more efficient and environmentally friendly.
The German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), in cooperation with the European Commission (EU) and the Swiss State Secretariat for Economics (SECO) finalised an agreement with the Egyptian Ministry of Environment on a National Solid Waste Management Programme for Egypt. The programme's aim is to enhance the solid waste management on a national, as well as on a regional and local level, by improving the effectiveness of technical facilities, developing and strengthening the institutional capacities, and introducing financial tools for sustainable solid waste management. The German federal government has provided financial support to the programme in the form of a joint project between the public development financing organisation (KfW) and the Society for International Cooperation (GIZ).
CDM Smith led a consortium supporting the national Waste Management Regulatory Authority, as well as local solid waste management units in the governorates Assiut and Qena, in developing an economically viable and sustainable waste management system tailored to local requirements. Our scope included reviewing existing master plans, developing new ones, and providing training for local waste management authorities. In addition, we fostered cooperation among the different stakeholders, advised the authorities on introducing new economic instruments, and designed solutions for more effective waste collection and transport.
In the meantime, the planning phase was completed, during which master plans for waste disposal in the two governorates in Upper Egypt were developed. Following this, the following facilities were planned, tendered, and supervised during the immediate implementation phase:
Five transfer stations in both governorates.
inhabitants in the area
€ Total programme cost
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Division Manager
Eric Kalmbach brings expertise in environmental, water and transport infrastructure projects in developing countries.
