Egypt has taken a significant step in addressing plastic pollution by requiring manufacturers to take responsibility for plastic bags, from production through to disposal, local media reported, citing a Prime Ministerial Decree published in the Official Gazette.
New law
The decree enforces Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for plastic bags, compelling producers and importers to manage their environmental impact at every stage, from creation to safe disposal.
The decree requires producers and importers to register with the National Waste Management Information System, submit quarterly sales reports, and pay 37.5 EGP per kilogram of plastic bags sold to fund safe disposal. These funds will be managed by the Waste Management Regulatory Authority, which will submit an annual report to the Cabinet. The decree takes effect three months after publication.
Plastic shopping bags produced and imported under Egyptian Standard Specification No. 3040 are classified as priority products under the EPR program, in line with Article 17 of the Waste Management Law No. 202 of 2020. The law aims to reduce waste, promote recycling, and minimize environmental harm.
A 2021 study by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) highlights the distribution of single-use plastic consumption in Egypt across various applications. It shows that 36% of plastic consumption is used for packaging (including plastic bags, food and cosmetic packaging, and bottles) and agricultural purposes (such as greenhouses, liners, and mulch).
Of this, 38% is allocated to agricultural uses, followed by 20% for food and kitchen packaging, and 16% for plastic bags.
A step forward
Environmental activist Mohamed Kamal, Executive Director at Greenish, expressed optimism about the decree, calling it a “long-awaited step” since the 2022 executive regulations for the waste management law. He added that plastic bags make up a substantial portion of Egypt’s waste, especially municipal waste, and are often used unnecessarily.
Kamal told Business Monthly that this initiative could reduce single-use waste over time, but pointed out recyclability challenges with plastic bags. “The main issue with single-use plastic bags is that they are difficult to recycle due to their low value and the high cost of recycling,” Kamal explained.
A study conducted by the UN Environment Programme’s SwitchMed initiative in Egypt in 2020 revealed that the country generates 16.2 million tons of waste annually, with approximately 6% (around 970 thousand tons) being plastic. Of this, only 45% is recycled, and 5% is reused.
“Compliance is another major concern,” Kamal said, highlighting the challenge of getting medium-sized businesses and distributors to adhere to the regulations. He emphasized the importance of penalties for non-compliance, especially in ensuring the proper management of funds collected from plastic bag payments.
While the decree aims to be “business-friendly” by offering ample time for businesses to sign up, Kamal noted the need for a tracking system to ensure compliance. He added that although the decree is a positive step, much more needs to be done to promote actual recycling and reduce pollution. “We need more efforts to promote recycling and reduce pollution from producers,” he stated. Kamal also proposed the development of a reuse and refill strategy as part of Egypt’s future waste management initiatives. He envisions a system where products are reused without packaging and refilled in jars owned by consumers. He emphasized the need for infrastructure to support such an approach and suggested that it be aligned with the country’s broader waste management strategy over the next five years.
In conclusion, while the new decree represents a positive step in managing plastic waste, Kamal stressed that more work is needed. The primary challenge moving forward will be ensuring compliance and managing funds effectively to achieve long-term environmental sustainability. As Kamal put it, “If this is not aligned with other interventions, it will not be efficient. We need more.”
