’CHALLENGES & OPPORTUNITIES’

A SUMMARY ON INDUSTRIAL

AND

MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE

MANAGEMENT IN

EGYPT

Compiled by Miklos Gergely 22nd October, 2010.BSc in International Business EconomicsEmail: miklos.gergely63@gmail.com

INTRODUCTION

Approximately 100 million tons of waste is currently produced in Egypt, including an estimated massive amount of over 20 million tonnes of Municipal Solid Waste generated during the year 2009 - revealed at the second Middle East Waste Summit in May 2010.

Egypt is facing the need for effective Waste Management Services, coupled with improved technological advancements. This demand can be attributed to growing urbanization, growing industrialisation, and problems resulting from hazardous materials and waste mismanagement in Egypt that constitute a significant environmental problem linked to economic, social and legislative aspects.

However, increasing levels of awareness in economy and society and estimated local damage cost – and subsequent international penalties - due to air pollution from the energy and agricultural residues sectors was a horrendous USD 1.1 billion annually in 1999/2000., which is approx. 45% of damage costs of all environmental degradation, representing 1.5% of GDP, or USD 17 per person per year, and increasing ever since, make the scale of the challenge faced by authorities is even bigger.

The market for Waste Management Services in Egypt can grow into a multi-billion dollar venture, with the government and the 26 governorates in the country infusing dedication and investments in Municipal Solid Waste Management and Industrial / Hazardous Waste Management Services that are in development phase with only a few ’world-class’ private participants present in Egypt.

By law (Law No. 4/1994) incineration has become the mandatory treatment for hospital and other hazardous wastes. However, the the range of proper hazardous waste management and disposal facilities available in Egypt is extremely limited.

Althought the separation of waste at the source is highly needed for the success of many treatment recycling systems, especially for composting, there have only been a few pilot projects in this area.

Waste levels soar exponentially from year to year, and each Governorate is risking losing its ability to handle the problem without further damaging the environment.

It is vital to see that Egypt, like most MENA countries, suffers from space constraints regarding the treatment of the extraordinary volumes of waste generated on daily basis. Moreover, the planning of many landfill sites right at the inception phase was unsatisfactory, thereby lowering their scope for reuse.

Treatment and Disposal Technologies such as sanitary landfilling, composting and incineration form a vast majority of waste management practices, with crude open dumping being the most common practice and dumpsites are commonly burnt simply to reduce the

volume of accumulating waste. In fact, most of these landfill sites have already completed their lifespan.

THE CHALLENGESWeak Waste Collection, Transportation and Handling Infrastructure: In Egypt the existing waste handling capacity is insufficient. There is need for streamlined waste collection and transportation operations as intermingling of Hazardous Waste and Municipal Solid Waste is not uncommon. The efficiency of the sorting process needs be improved greatly. Presently recyclable recovery rate is low. Further, in the absence of adequate local recycling facilities, there is no alternative except to dump the otherwise recyclable material at Landfills.

Waste Recycling is Expensive: Though recent years have seen an increase in the number of waste recycling facilities the economics of recycling is still very low. In many cases recycling waste is expensive compared to buying the product.

Under-developed Market for Recycled Products: Insufficient demand for recycled products in the local market is another reason, which has hampered the growth of the waste recycling industry. There are a few units engaged in recycling waste paper, paperboard and plastics. Much of the recycled products are then exported to markets like India, Pakistan and other Southeast Asian countries.

THE OPPORTUNITIESIn the last few years, planning authorities have awarded a number of contracts to the private sector for setting up and operating Waste Management Facilities. However, opportunities in the sector are still largely untapped.

Remediation and Decommissioning of Landfill Operations: At present the majority of Landfills managed by governorates has already completed their lifespan, it is highly necessary that new Recycling or Waste to Energy facilities be built to eliminate the content of these open landfills that are threatening the environment and public health.

Waste Recycling: Recycling of waste paper, paper board, metals and glass is already practiced in Egypt albeit at very small scale. Currently around 88 percent of the total waste generated in Egypt is dumped into open Landfills, which is high as per international standards. With only 2 percent of the total waste being recycled recycling is set to increase. Modern waste management practices should become more efficient across the country, waste recycling and waste-to-energy should be more attractive commercially.

Waste-to-Energy opportunity: Planning authorities across the region are contemplating setting up Waste to Energy facilities. The market for such technologies, especially with significant diversification and growth rates in industries, is likely to see rapid growth over the next few years.

EGYPT

Population 80,471,869 (2010 census)Total area 1,002,450 km²Density 82.3 / km²Population growth rate 1.997%Urban population 43% of total populationNumber of households 13,333,000

Industries Hydrocarbons & mining Cement, ConstructionPharmaceuticals & cosmeticsPlasticsFertilizers & pesticides Detergents Batteries & Fiber glass Paper, printing & packaging Tanning, Painting & TextileEngineering, Foundries & MetalsWooden & Food processing

Agricultural products cotton, rice, corn, wheat, beans, fruits, vegetables; cattle, water buffalo, sheep, goats

Electricity production 118.4 billion kWh (2007 est’d)Electricity consumption 104.1 billion kWh (2007 est’d)Oil production 680,500 barrels/day (2009 est’d)Oil consumption 683,000 barrels / day (2009 est’d)Natural gas production 62.7 billion m³ / year (2009 est’d)

Natural gas consumption 42.5 billion m³ / year (2009 est’d)

REPORTS, STATISTICS AND NUMBERS - EXCERPTS

EGYPT – Hazardous Waste (HW) is waste having adverse impacts on human health and environment as a result of physico-chemical and/or biological properties rendering it dangerous. According to the Egyptian Environental Law (4/1994) hazardous waste is defined as:” Within the frameworkof this law a national Classification system was developed and waste defined as hazardous based on four characteristics: Ignitibility, Corrosiveness, Reactivity and Toxicity.

EGYPT – Nasreya Landfill: a treatment and disposal facility for industrial hazardous waste in Alexandria, the second largest city in Egypt with over 4 million inhabitants generating approx. 2,300 Tons of waste every day: phase I., The official opening of the Nasreya Hazardous Waste Treatment Centre was in 29/6/2005. in the presence of  Mr. engineer Maged George- Minister of State for Environmental Affairs, Mr. Governor Mohamed Abd Elsalam El Mahgoub-governor of Alexandria Governorate, and Mr. Hannu Mantyvaara– Ambassador of Finland in Cairo, and it is a joint effort between Egypt and Finland. A facility for the treatment and disposal of industrial hazardous waste has been established in Alexandria, Egypt. Phase I of the facility encompassing a secure landfill and solar evaporation ponds is ready to receive waste, and Phase II encompassing physico-chemical treatment, solidification, and interim storage is underway. The facility, the Nasreya Centre, is the first of its kind in Egypt, and represents the nucleus for the integration, improvement and further expansion of different hazardous waste management practices and services in Alexandria. It has been developed within the overall legal framework of the Egyptian Law for the Environment, and is expected to improve prospects for enforcement of the regulatory requirements specified in this law. It has been developed with the overall aim of promoting the establishment of an integrated industrial hazardous waste management system in Alexandria, serving as a demonstration to be replicated elsewhere in Egypt. For Phase I, the Centre only accepts inorganic industrial wastes. In this respect, a waste acceptance policy has been developed, which is expected to be reviewed during Phase II, with an expansion of the waste types accepted (Jaakko Poyry Infra/Soil Finland).

The Nasreya site is surrounded by fence from all sides by length 500 meter and width 300 meter. The site has two gates

The site consists of:-•          Landfill area of 14000  square meters designed in accordance with the             international standards •         Guard office•         Evaporation ponds with an area of 5000  square meter for leachate from the            landfill, rainwater and neutral water from the physical chemical treatment plant •         Weighing bridge•         Administration building and chemical laboratory •         Maintenance workshop and garage •         Groundwater monitoring wells•         Washing station for transport vehicles

•         Electricity generator •         Physical chemical treatment unit •         Solidification unit •         Inorganic hazardous waste storage area •         Organic hazardous waste transfer station The site is designed for treatment of inorganic hazardous waste. Organic hazardous waste will be received to the transfer station in case a final destination for the waste is determined prior to the reception of the waste

Industrial activities in Alexandria

Cement industryPetroleum & mining industriesPharmaceutical & cosmetic industriesPlastic industryFertilizers & pesticides industriesDetergents industriesBatteries industryFiber glass industry Textile industriesPaper, printing & packaging industriesTanning industryPainting industryEngineering & Metals industriesFoundries Wooden industriesFood industries

Alexandria has 40% of industries and 60% of petroleum industries in Egypt. All these activities generate organic and inorganic hazardous waste

EGYPT - The collection and proper treatment and disposal of the increasing amounts of solid waste represents a daily challenge and is a high priority of the MSEA and its executive institution, EEAA. This challenge is being met by the development of strategic plans, operational programs, practical guidelines for integrated solid waste management, as well as the conduct of training programs, and the implementation of relevant demonstration projects in partnership with all stakeholders

EGYPT - A national program for the Integrated Solid Waste Management was initiated during 2000/2001. for the the National Strategy for Municipal Solid Waste that setsthe overall direction for municipal solid waste management in Egypt over a period of 10 years, laying down the principles for its operationalization, setting the guidelines for siting of landfills, regulations and requirements for composting facilities and requirements for waste containers and other types of storage facilities.

EGYPT - EEAA has initiated a Landfill Siting Program , carried out in collaboration with the Life Program of the European Union. During 2000/2001, maps of proposed

landfill sites in each of Egypt's 26 governorates were produced, and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) studies will be carried out

EGYPT - 53 sites have been identified as new sanitary landfills in the countryConstruction of 56 composting plants throughout the country.

EGYPT – Ministerial Solid Waste Management (SWM) committee to facilitate and monitor private sector participation at the Governate level has been established.

EGYPT – A mechanism for SWM cost recovery has been developed based on the “polluter pays” and “user pays” principles.

EGYPT - Implementation of integrated management projects for 9.3 million tons/year of municipal solid waste in the main cities of the Egyptian governates (2000)

Industry generates 4 - 6 million tons of waste every year (2010)

Hazardous Industrial Waste 63,000 tons / year (2010)

Reuse of 4 million tons/year of agricultural waste (2000)

Safe disposal of 2 million tons/year of construction and demolition wastes (2000)

EGYPT - Support and technical assistance were provided for the preparation of tender documents for the participation of the private sector for the 19 governates of Cairo, Giza, Fayoum, Gharbiya, Alexandria, Red Sea, Beheira, Aswan, Suez, Port Said, Ismailia, North Sinai, South Sinai, Dakahliya, Menoufiya, Sharkiya, Qaliubiya, Luxor, New Valley.

EGYPT - Contracts with international specialized company for solid waste management to start from August 2001 for 2001/2002 for the Governate of Alexandria and the 6 other governorates of Cairo, Giza, Qaliubiya, Suez, Luxor, and South Sinai.

EGYPT - 10 million tons of accumulated solid waste has been removed from the governorates of Luxor, South Sinai, Cairo, Qaliubiya, Aswan, Gharbiya, Red Sea, Menoufiya and Fayoum.

EGYPT - The rehabilitation of open dumpsites in the governorates of Qaliubiya, Menoufiya, Dakahliya and Gharbiya, has been initiated.

EGYPT – Density, as one of the most important measurement methods, ( at source, during transportation and disposal) hat caracterises waste, averages 300 kg / m³ in Egypt.This is significantla higher than those found in developed countries (that is approx. 100-150 kg/m³), but is comparable to those found in other developing countries. Waste density is another important measure to define the number and capacity of waste storage, collection and management facilities required.

EGYPT – Treatment and Disposal technologies such as sanitary landfilling, composting and incineration form a vast majority of waste management practices, with crude open

dumping being the most common practice and dumpsites are commonly burnt simply to reduce the volume of accumulating waste. By law (Law No. 4/1994) incineration has become the mandatory treatment for hospital and other hazardous wastes.However, the the range of proper hazardous waste management and disposal facilities available in Egypt is extremely limited. Althought the separation of waste at the source is highly needed for the success of many treatment recycling systems, especially for composting, there have only been a few pilot projects in this area.

EGYPT – Problems resulting from hazardous materials and waste mismanagement in Egypt constitute a significant environmental problem linked to economic, social and legislative aspects. International agreements endorsed and enforced by Egypt: Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposals, Bamako Convention on the on the Ban of the Import into Africa and the Control of Transboundary Movements of hazardous Wastes and their Disposal within Africa, Stockholm and Rotterdam Conventions on Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides and Persistent Organic Pollutants (POP’s). Therefore, MSEA’s main responsibilty is for hazardous materials and waste management in Egypt, moreover, a most important basis for maintaining public health and environment.

EGYPT - Technical support of MSEA - Developing proposal on asbestos risks, forbidding the imports- Developing monitoring and follow-up mechanisms for inciretaing hazardous

wastes cement furnaces- Finalising selection procedures for a safe hazardous waste landfilling cell in Suez- Supervising MobiNil’s project to collect expired mobile phone and electrical

appliance batteries and export them to England- Providing MOH with 28 incinerators distributed to governorates all over Egypt

to contribute to safe disposal of healthcare hazardous wastes - Making suitable arrangements to export lithium batteries of Halliburton Oil

Services heavy equipment to Canada for recycling- Providing technical support to Egypt Air on the environmentall-safe method to

dispose of hazardous wastes resulting from over-haul maintenance wastes, such as hydraulic oils and airline paints

- For replacing and installing an incinerator- For methods for transferring hazardous medical wastes and disposing of ash

resulting from medical waste incinerators- Specifications and requirements for hazardous waste landfills- Importing plastic scrap - Developing simplified procedure and manual on the procedures to be followed to

export hazardous wastes abroad

EGYPT – Projects set by MSEA - Finalising the 1st and 2nd phase of Alexandria Hazardous Waste Management

Project including a safe landfilling cell hazardous non-organic industrial wastes, a physiochemical treatment unit, a hardening unit, hazardous organic waste storage physics-chemical

- Developing 40 short and long-term projects- Participation in the International committee on Cadmium and Lead

- Issuing guidelines for: safe handling of chlorine and another 309 hazardous materials,

- Issuing the environmental prespective for 11 sectors of the 10th Ramadan City (pharmaceutical, textiles, finishing metal services, electrical painting, automotives, paper, glass, dairy, plastic, detergents and soap, paints and inks)

- Finalising and development of the pre-notification system for the passage of hazardous materials-laden ships at the Suez Canal heading from Far east to Europe for the purposes of recycle of final disposal in accordance with the Basel Convention. In 2006 by monitoring the movement of ships carrying hazardous materials through the Suez Canal, 141 notifications were received from exporting countries for a total of 183,220 metric tons.

EGYPT – Management Solid Wastes by MSEA takes into consideration Existing Circumstances, Available Resources and Current Determinants and covers actions including:

Solid Wastes at Greater Cairo Governate- 2005: about 10 million m³ of solid wastes were disposed of from historical wastes

inside Greater cairo Governate, out of which about 2 million m³ were transferred to landfills, and about 8 million m³ of burnt accumulations mixed with demolition and construction wastes were levelled and covered,

- 2006: about 4.7 million m³ of historical wastes were disposed of, out of which about 0.7 million m³ was transferred to landfills at Greater Cairo, and about 4 million m³ of accumulations mixed with demolition and construction wastes levelled and covered.

Agricultural Wastes at Sharqeya Governate.- 2006: Two plants established to recycle 300,000 tons of rice straw annually,

EGYPT – Agricultural Waste Management (2006 Report) quoting that agriculture is an important sector in Egypt, accounting for approx. 15% of GDP, and 30% of total employment. Recent studies have identified that:

- Mean estimate of local damage cost due to air pollution from the energy and agricultural residues sectors was USD 1.1 billion annually in 1999/2000., which is approx. 45% of damage costs of all environmental degradation, representing 1.5% of GDP, or USD 17 per person per year.

- Centralised collection in “Priority Governates” of agricultural residues identified as opportunity for reducing environmental damage costs can reduce the overall cost by USD 35 million in 1999/2000.

- Agricultural residues generated in Egypt was over 27 million tons, in 2003, of which

- 8 million tons were generated in the 5 “Priority Governates” - 4.5 – 6 million tons are non-utilised nationwide (2004)- approx. 30% of residues generated in the “Priority Governates” is not utilised

(2004)- 80-84% of this quantity is rice straw which is utilised only in Sharqia Governate

because of the 2 composting facilities implemented in 2005-2006. EGYPT – Egypt generated an estimated 15.3 million tons of Municipal Solid Waste in 2001, growing at an estimated rate of 3.4% per year, in large areas 70% of which, in

certain cases, is left unserviced or under-serviced. An estimated 9.7 million Tons dumped in un-controlled sites and alonside watercourses or in/adjacent to communities, that require removal to appropriate locations for treatment Private sector solid waste management services are were provided to approx. 25% of population in 2003, at an annual contract cost of USD 46 million, that is approx. USD 12 per Ton. These costs suggest that an indicative solid waste management budget for services within urban areas might be in the order of USD 100-108 million).

EGYPT – Many years of inadequate attention to the sector have resulted in the accumulation of some 9.7 million Tons of generally Municipal Solid Waste that the Egyptian Government has identified as needing to be removed, or managed in-situ in an environmentally appropriate manner.

EGYPT - HAZARDOUS WASTE CLASSIFICATION European Hazardous Waste Classification System According to European system the Hazardous waste lists contain 236 kinds of waste, based on 14 characteristic of Hazardous Waste 1.     Intensity of ignitability 2.     Capable of burning 3.     Irritant 4.     Explosive5.     Oxidizing 6.     Toxic7.     Harmful8.     Ecotoxic9.     Infection 10. Teratogenic 11. Mutagenic 12. Carcinogenic 13. Corrosive 14. Liberate toxic gases when it  reacts with water or acids             International Hazardous Waste Classification SystemBased on 4 characteristic of Hazardous Waste:-·        Ignitability·        Corrosiveness·        Reactivity·        Toxicity

 Hazardous Waste characters according to Basel Convention 1.     Explosive waste2.     Flammable liquids3.     Flammable solids 4.     Substances or wastes liable to spontaneous combustion 5.     Substances or wastes which, in contact with water emit flammable gases6.     Oxidizing 7.     Organic peroxides

8.     Poisonous (Acute)9.     Infectious waste10. Corrosive waste11. Liberation of toxic gases in contact with air or water12. Toxic (Delayed or chronic)13. Ecotoxic         waste14. Capable, by any means, after disposal, of yielding another material, e.g., leachate, which possesses any of the characteristics listed above.

VOLUME FIGURES FOR EACH GOVERNATE IN TONS PER YEAR – 2009

EGYPT - Quantities total for Egypt (2010 est’d)

Municipal Solid Waste generation: 18.6 million tons/year (2003)Per capita MSW generation: 0.8 kg per day in urban areasPer capita MSW generation: 0.43 kg per day in rural areasMSW generation growth: 4% per year

It is estimated that out of this waste:

49% cleaning of water courses and drainage canals,16% garbage from cities,10% industrial waste, 9% garbage from villages, 7% construction and demolition waste, 6% agricultural waste, 3% wastewater treatment sludge

EGYPT – The total amount of Municipal Solid Waste will grow to 32 million Tons by 2025. EGYPT – Industrial Waste generated was 6.3 million Tons in 2000

EGYPT – Typical composition of Municipal Solid Waste in Egypt

Organic: 60%Paper: 10%Plastics: 12%Glass: 3%Metals: 2%Textiles: 2%Others: 11%

EGYPT - Sources of Municipal Solid Waste

Households: 68%Cleaning and Green refuse: 12%Commercial: 11%Industrial: 5%

Institutions (including Hospitals): 4%

EGYPT – Technical performance

MSW collection coverage: 0 – 25% in rural areas 30 – 95% in urban areas

MSW final destination: 8% composted2% recycled2% landfilled88% open dumped

REFERENCES AND INFORMATION SUPPLIED BY

Middle East Waste Summit 2010 (MEWS)

Dr. Ramadan A.R. , American University of Cairo

Ministry of Environment, Egypt

Mediterranean Environmental Technical Assistance Programme, Information Service

Environment Agency - State of Environment Report 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009

Information Service of TURRET Middle East

Dr. A. Basel Al-Yousfi, UNEP Regional Industry Office

Arab Forum for Environment and Development (AFED)

APPENDIX

E GYPT - The collection and proper treatment and disposal of the increasing amounts of solid waste represents a daily challenge to governorates and municipalities. As uncontrolled disposal and burning of solid wastes constitutes a major environmental problem, the development of environmentally sound solid waste management systems throughout the country, is a high priority of the MSEA and its executive institution, EEAA. This challenge is being met by the development of strategic plans, operational programs, practical guidelines for integrated solid waste management, as well as the conduct of training programs, and the implementation of relevant demonstration projects in partnership with all stakeholders. In this respect, a number of important accomplishments have been achieved during 2000/2001.

A national program for the Integrated Solid Waste Management was initiated during 2000/2001. The program, relies on a close cooperation between the different concerned ministries and MSEA, both on the central and local government levels, and is based on a number of important principles. These comprise the "polluter pays" principle, the development of an enabling financial, institutional and legislative environment, to ensure the active participation of the private sector, a support to the decentralization of the management systems, the promotion of waste minimization and waste recycling and reuse, and building public awareness. The program addresses the different categories of solid wastes, entailing municipal, agricultural, healthcare, and construction and demolition wastes as a first priority, and industrial waste, waste generated from clearing of water and drainage canals, as well as municipal wastewater sludge, as second priority. This is carried out through 13 lines of actions composed of a fast track initiative for the clearing of solid waste accumulations, and long-term solutions addressing the roots of the challenges.

Within the framework of the national program for the Integrated Solid Waste

Management, the National Strategy for Municipal Solid Waste, developed in 1999/2000 with support from the Egyptian Environmental Policy Program, was finalized in 2000/2001, and adopted by the Cabinet of Ministers. It sets the overall direction for municipal solid waste management in Egypt over a period of 10 years, laying down the principles for its operationalization.

Other accomplishments include the publication of a number of guidelines on waste management. The purpose of these guidelines is to keep governorates, municipalities, waste generators and other stakeholders updated about recent developments in various practical aspects of municipal solid waste management. The published material include an overview of the legal framework for solid waste management in Egypt, the most commonly used terms in waste management and their definitions, guidelines for siting of landfills, regulations and requirements for composting facilities and requirements for waste containers and other types of storage facilities. During the coming year, the guidelines will be disseminated among governorates, municipalities and other stakeholders and parties of interest in waste management.

The final disposal of solid wastes presents one of the important components of an effective management system. In this respect, EEAA has initiated a Landfill Siting Program, carried out in collaboration with the Life Program of the European Union. During 2000/2001, maps of proposed landfill sites in each of Egypt's 26 governorates were produced, and are being reviewed by the respective governorates. The final selection of the appropriate sites is planned to be accomplished in the first half of 2002. Once the exact locations of these landfills have been decided within the proposed areas, in depth studies of soil and groundwater conditions and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) studies will be carried out. Furthermore, a demonstration project for the rehabilitation of an existing dumpsite is planned for implementation.

Also on the governorate and local levels, and within the framework of the solid waste strategies for the Governorates of Sohag and Dakahliya, developed with assistance from the Support for Environmental Assessment and management initiative of the United Kingdom Department for International Cooperation, and being implemented in 2000/2001, a number demonstration projects are carried out. In Sohag, these projects entail the support of the privatization of the municipal solid waste services in Sohag City and Girga Markaz, as well as the development of segregation and safe disposal schemes for healthcare waste in Sohag City and Markaz. For 2001/2002 planned activities include the replication of support for the development of solid waste strategies and the implementation of demonstration projects in the Governorates of Qena and Damietta.

As for capacity building, several training courses and workshops on waste management were conducted during 2000/2001. These include three workshops on the incorporation of private sector contribution to solid waste management activities in Egypt, organized in collaboration with the United States based Institute for Public-Private Partnership (IP3), as well as one week training workshops for governorate and municipality staff members concerning the various aspects of landfilling as a final disposal option, within the context of the Egyptian Environmental Policy Program. Plans for 2001/2002, include conducting similar workshops in other governorates.

The National Integrated Solid Waste Management Program

During its first phase, 2001-2003, the program aims to accomplish the following:

. Implementation of integrated management projects for 9.3 million tons/year of municipal solid waste in the main cities of the Egyptian governorates.

. Reuse of 3 million tons /year of agriculture waste

. The safe disposal of 25 tons/year of healthcare waste

. The safe disposal of 1 million tons of construction and demolition waste

Activities in 2000/2001:

. Support and technical assistance were provided for the preparation of tender documents for the participation of the private sector for the 19 governorates of Cairo, Giza, Fayoum, Gharbiya, Alexandria, Red Sea, Beheira, Aswan, Suez, Port Said, Ismailia, North Sinai, South Sinai, Dakahliya, Menoufiya, Sharkiya, Qaliubiya, Luxor, New Valley.

. The Governorate of Alexandria contracted an international specialized company for solid waste management to start from August 2001. During 2001/2002, this will be replicated in the 6 other governorates of Cairo, Giza, Qaliubiya, Suez, Luxor, and South Sinai.

. 10 million tons of accumulated solid waste have been removed from the governorates of Luxor, South Sinai, Cairo, Qaliubiya, Aswan, Gharbiya, Red Sea, Menoufiya and Fayoum.

. The rehabilitation of open dumpsites in the governorates of Qaliubiya, Menoufiya, Dakahliya and Gharbiya, has been initiated.

. Training of staff members responsible for monitoring and supervising integrated solid waste management contractors has been conducted in Alexandria Governorate, and is planned for Cairo and Suez Governorates, to be carried out during the second half of 2001. During 2002/2003 this will be replicated in other governorates.

Industrial solid waste constitutes an important contribution to the overall waste

volumes in industrial zones. The implementation of a project aiming at the integrated management of industrial solid waste in 6th of October City is planned to start during the summer 2001, with support from the Life Program of the European Union. The project will focus on the active involvement of industrial waste generators in the reduction of waste volumes at source, and will also encourage private sector participation in solid waste management services, particularly collection and recycling. The project will be implemented in close collaboration with the Businessmen Association of 6th of October City and in coordination with the "Environmentally Friendly Industrial Cities Program".