Egypt extends single-use plastics circular economy project to 2027

EGYPT – Egypt has announced a one-year extension of its flagship project promoting circular economy practices in the single-use plastics value chain, extending its completion date to 2027.

The move reflects the government’s commitment to curbing plastic pollution and accelerating the country’s shift toward sustainable production and consumption.

The announcement was made during the project’s second steering committee meeting, chaired by Local Development Minister and Acting Environment Minister Manal Awad, and attended by senior government officials, representatives from the Japanese Embassy, and industry stakeholders.

The initiative is funded by the Government of Japan and implemented in cooperation with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).

Minister Awad lauded the project as a model of international cooperation in combating plastic pollution, an escalating threat to ecosystems, marine life, and local livelihoods.

She highlighted that the initiative aims to reduce plastic waste across industries, particularly within the single-use packaging sector, and to foster circular economy principles throughout Egypt’s manufacturing landscape.

Awad emphasized the need to expand factories producing plastic alternatives, such as biodegradable and reusable packaging materials, especially in coastal and tourist regions like South Sinai and the Red Sea.

These regions, she said, could become models for “plastic-free cities”, reducing transportation costs and supporting local green employment.

The minister also called for a clear financial roadmap and implementation timeline for the project’s next phase, focusing on policy development, industrial support, and stakeholder engagement.

She noted that legislation mandating a gradual transition toward plastic alternatives would be essential to sustaining progress.

Since its inception, the project has achieved significant milestones, including the introduction of five Egyptian standards for alternative plastic bags, the nationwide “Reduce It” awareness campaign, and the development of laboratory capacity to ensure compliance with new sustainability standards.

In partnership with Nile University, a comprehensive market readiness study was conducted, while training programs and pilot recycling initiatives were launched to empower small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and private sector partners.

A representative from the Japanese Embassy described the initiative as a “presidential project” symbolizing the strategic partnership between Egypt and Japan in tackling global plastic waste.

UNIDO officials praised Egypt’s leadership in sustainable industrial development, noting that the country remains one of the largest beneficiaries of its global environmental programs.

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