{"id":1541,"date":"2025-07-19T10:53:04","date_gmt":"2025-07-19T10:53:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eandelmagazine.com\/eandelmagazine\/?p=1541"},"modified":"2025-07-19T10:53:04","modified_gmt":"2025-07-19T10:53:04","slug":"young-educated-and-knee-deep-in-rubbish-the-recyclers-cleaning-up-in-cairos-garbage-city","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eandelmagazine.com\/eandelmagazine\/young-educated-and-knee-deep-in-rubbish-the-recyclers-cleaning-up-in-cairos-garbage-city\/","title":{"rendered":"Young, educated and knee deep in rubbish: the recyclers cleaning up in Cairo\u2019s Garbage City"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><main data-layout=\"ImmersiveLayout\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"dcr-1xdhyk6\">\n<div class=\"dcr-1i4mrud\">\n<div class=\"dcr-xzr4d9\">\n<aside class=\"dcr-1fnjjtg\" data-gu-name=\"title\"><\/aside>\n<div class=\"dcr-1fnjjtg\" data-gu-name=\"standfirst\">\n<div class=\"dcr-1vit58r\">\n<p>Piles of waste line the streets of Manshiyet Nasr, turning it into a no-go zone for many. But a new generation see themselves as agents of change in the fight against plastic pollution<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/main><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-st9szl\" data-gu-name=\"body\">\n<div class=\"dcr-1a4fred\">\n<div id=\"maincontent\" class=\"dcr-1uvtuj9\">\n<div class=\"article-body-commercial-selector article-body-viewer-selector dcr-11jq3zt\">\n<p class=\"dcr-16w5gq9\"><span class=\"dcr-15rw6c2\">W<\/span>hen Mina Nedi graduated with a nursing degree last year, his friends and family expected him to start working in one of Egypt\u2019s overstretched hospitals. Instead, the 25-year-old decided to join his father\u2019s recycling business in Manshiyet Nasr, a neighbourhood on Cairo\u2019s eastern outskirts known as Garbage City.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-16w5gq9\">Every day, he sorts through thousands of plastic bottles, collected by a team of men who roam the city at night to pick up rubbish, separating them by colour and compressing them into large bundles with the help of a machine, ready to be sold for recycling and reuse.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"cc5917b3-ea45-48be-9630-8ef4c02605c2\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\">\n<h6 id=\"img-2\" class=\"dcr-1t8m8f2\"><picture class=\"dcr-evn1e9\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"dcr-evn1e9\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/b812d24c780f599494532e10b41680da4c2ff039\/0_0_8192_5464\/master\/8192.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" alt=\"A young man stands in a crate full of plastic drinks bottles, next to large sacks filled with plastic bottles\" width=\"445\" height=\"296.8115234375\" \/><\/picture><\/h6>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure id=\"cc5917b3-ea45-48be-9630-8ef4c02605c2\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\"><figcaption class=\"dcr-eyv1cr\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\">\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h6><em>Mina Nedi, 25, has been working as a plastic collector for five years and funded his university education with it<\/em><\/h6>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-16w5gq9\">What motivated Nedi was not family pressure, but a genuine determination to help the environment.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-16w5gq9\">\u201cClimate change, plastic pollution, microplastics. Awareness is growing among young people in Egypt,\u201d he says. \u201cCairo has a waste problem, and I know I can make a difference here.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-16w5gq9\">\u201cTo me, it\u2019s not garbage, it\u2019s income,\u201d says Nedi, \u201cand an opportunity to keep my city clean.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure id=\"8c5d29ca-82d8-4ddb-8079-11c25e13d58c\" class=\"dcr-5h0uf4\" data-spacefinder-role=\"showcase\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\">\n<h6 id=\"img-3\" class=\"dcr-1t8m8f2\"><picture class=\"dcr-evn1e9\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/f582ff3cdd288c0c049ad68a917ed9fc1ab66f21\/0_0_8128_5421\/master\/8128.jpg?width=880&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 1300px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 1300px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/f582ff3cdd288c0c049ad68a917ed9fc1ab66f21\/0_0_8128_5421\/master\/8128.jpg?width=880&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 1300px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/f582ff3cdd288c0c049ad68a917ed9fc1ab66f21\/0_0_8128_5421\/master\/8128.jpg?width=800&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 1140px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 1140px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/f582ff3cdd288c0c049ad68a917ed9fc1ab66f21\/0_0_8128_5421\/master\/8128.jpg?width=800&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 1140px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/f582ff3cdd288c0c049ad68a917ed9fc1ab66f21\/0_0_8128_5421\/master\/8128.jpg?width=640&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 980px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 980px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/f582ff3cdd288c0c049ad68a917ed9fc1ab66f21\/0_0_8128_5421\/master\/8128.jpg?width=640&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 980px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/f582ff3cdd288c0c049ad68a917ed9fc1ab66f21\/0_0_8128_5421\/master\/8128.jpg?width=620&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 660px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 660px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/f582ff3cdd288c0c049ad68a917ed9fc1ab66f21\/0_0_8128_5421\/master\/8128.jpg?width=620&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 660px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/f582ff3cdd288c0c049ad68a917ed9fc1ab66f21\/0_0_8128_5421\/master\/8128.jpg?width=605&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 480px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 480px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/f582ff3cdd288c0c049ad68a917ed9fc1ab66f21\/0_0_8128_5421\/master\/8128.jpg?width=605&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 480px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/f582ff3cdd288c0c049ad68a917ed9fc1ab66f21\/0_0_8128_5421\/master\/8128.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 320px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 320px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/f582ff3cdd288c0c049ad68a917ed9fc1ab66f21\/0_0_8128_5421\/master\/8128.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 320px)\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"dcr-evn1e9\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/f582ff3cdd288c0c049ad68a917ed9fc1ab66f21\/0_0_8128_5421\/master\/8128.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" alt=\"View of Manshiyet Nasr with mid-rise brown buildings under a hazy sky\" width=\"445\" height=\"296.79441437007875\" \/><\/picture><\/h6>\n<\/figure>\n<figure id=\"8c5d29ca-82d8-4ddb-8079-11c25e13d58c\" class=\"dcr-5h0uf4\" data-spacefinder-role=\"showcase\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\"><figcaption class=\"dcr-lvclai\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\">\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h6><em>Manshiyet Nasr, home to about 200,000 people, is known as Cairo\u2019s \u2018Garbage City\u2019<\/em><\/h6>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-16w5gq9\">Manshiyet Nasr is home to about 200,000 people, many of whom migrated from southern Egypt as early as the 1940s. As Cairo has been growing \u2013 it is now home to about 23 million people \u2013 so has Manshiyet Nasr. Today the community, often referred to as Zabaleen,\u00a0meaning \u201cgarbage people\u201d, handles up to 80% of the city&#8217;s waste, as well as up to two-thirds of rubbish in the greater Cairo area.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-16w5gq9\">Nedi recalls that when a priest in the predominantly Coptic Christian neighbourhood died a few years ago, the community paused work for several days to mourn, and Cairo was quickly \u201cdrowning\u201d in rubbish.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"6a703b87-fbe9-46c7-b70c-8b32ea984310\" class=\"dcr-imskkt\" data-spacefinder-role=\"immersive\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\">\n<div id=\"img-4\" class=\"dcr-1t8m8f2\"><picture class=\"dcr-evn1e9\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/317bcd3692a8742a4bd2fbdf86a6695e1365ab20\/0_0_8192_5464\/master\/8192.jpg?width=1300&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 1300px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 1300px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/317bcd3692a8742a4bd2fbdf86a6695e1365ab20\/0_0_8192_5464\/master\/8192.jpg?width=1300&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 1300px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/317bcd3692a8742a4bd2fbdf86a6695e1365ab20\/0_0_8192_5464\/master\/8192.jpg?width=1140&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 1140px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 1140px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/317bcd3692a8742a4bd2fbdf86a6695e1365ab20\/0_0_8192_5464\/master\/8192.jpg?width=1140&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 1140px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/317bcd3692a8742a4bd2fbdf86a6695e1365ab20\/0_0_8192_5464\/master\/8192.jpg?width=1125&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 980px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 980px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/317bcd3692a8742a4bd2fbdf86a6695e1365ab20\/0_0_8192_5464\/master\/8192.jpg?width=1125&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 980px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/317bcd3692a8742a4bd2fbdf86a6695e1365ab20\/0_0_8192_5464\/master\/8192.jpg?width=965&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 740px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 740px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/317bcd3692a8742a4bd2fbdf86a6695e1365ab20\/0_0_8192_5464\/master\/8192.jpg?width=965&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 740px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/317bcd3692a8742a4bd2fbdf86a6695e1365ab20\/0_0_8192_5464\/master\/8192.jpg?width=725&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 660px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 660px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/317bcd3692a8742a4bd2fbdf86a6695e1365ab20\/0_0_8192_5464\/master\/8192.jpg?width=725&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 660px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/317bcd3692a8742a4bd2fbdf86a6695e1365ab20\/0_0_8192_5464\/master\/8192.jpg?width=645&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 480px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 480px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/317bcd3692a8742a4bd2fbdf86a6695e1365ab20\/0_0_8192_5464\/master\/8192.jpg?width=645&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 480px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/317bcd3692a8742a4bd2fbdf86a6695e1365ab20\/0_0_8192_5464\/master\/8192.jpg?width=465&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 320px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 320px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/317bcd3692a8742a4bd2fbdf86a6695e1365ab20\/0_0_8192_5464\/master\/8192.jpg?width=465&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 320px)\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"dcr-evn1e9\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/317bcd3692a8742a4bd2fbdf86a6695e1365ab20\/0_0_8192_5464\/master\/8192.jpg?width=465&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" alt=\"Children play on a street lined with piles of rubbish. Sacks of rubbish are also piled up around parked cars\" width=\"465\" height=\"310.1513671875\" \/><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<figure id=\"6a703b87-fbe9-46c7-b70c-8b32ea984310\" class=\"dcr-imskkt\" data-spacefinder-role=\"immersive\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\"><figcaption class=\"dcr-lvclai\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\">\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h6><em>Many people in Cairo avoid Manshiyet Nasr due to the piles of stinking rubbish on the streets<\/em><\/h6>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-16w5gq9\">But despite playing a vital role\u00a0in keeping Cairo clean, Manshiyet Nasr has long been stigmatised. Most Cairo residents avoid the area, put off by the overwhelming stench of rubbish piled in homes, on rooftops and along the streets, full of rats and cockroaches scavenging for food.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-16w5gq9\">Nedi is part of a new, young generation eager to break the stigma his community has been facing for decades. Slowly, it seems to be working.<\/p>\n<hr class=\"dcr-z9ge1j\" \/>\n<p class=\"dcr-16w5gq9\"><span class=\"dcr-15rw6c2\">E<\/span>gypt generates up to 100m tonnes of solid waste\u00a0annually. And while the country has made refuse a political priority \u2013 setting up the Waste Management Regulatory Authority to oversee it \u2013 implementation is still difficult due to limited institutional capacity.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"77283fd8-9c21-4456-a2ff-dc419954dce6\" class=\"dcr-5h0uf4\" data-spacefinder-role=\"showcase\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\">\n<div id=\"img-5\" class=\"dcr-1t8m8f2\"><picture class=\"dcr-evn1e9\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/8a34236913b687b58af0e449ebb28deda5869bea\/0_0_8192_5464\/master\/8192.jpg?width=880&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 1300px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 1300px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/8a34236913b687b58af0e449ebb28deda5869bea\/0_0_8192_5464\/master\/8192.jpg?width=880&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 1300px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/8a34236913b687b58af0e449ebb28deda5869bea\/0_0_8192_5464\/master\/8192.jpg?width=800&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 1140px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 1140px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/8a34236913b687b58af0e449ebb28deda5869bea\/0_0_8192_5464\/master\/8192.jpg?width=800&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 1140px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/8a34236913b687b58af0e449ebb28deda5869bea\/0_0_8192_5464\/master\/8192.jpg?width=640&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 980px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 980px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/8a34236913b687b58af0e449ebb28deda5869bea\/0_0_8192_5464\/master\/8192.jpg?width=640&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 980px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/8a34236913b687b58af0e449ebb28deda5869bea\/0_0_8192_5464\/master\/8192.jpg?width=620&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 660px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 660px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/8a34236913b687b58af0e449ebb28deda5869bea\/0_0_8192_5464\/master\/8192.jpg?width=620&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 660px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/8a34236913b687b58af0e449ebb28deda5869bea\/0_0_8192_5464\/master\/8192.jpg?width=605&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 480px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 480px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/8a34236913b687b58af0e449ebb28deda5869bea\/0_0_8192_5464\/master\/8192.jpg?width=605&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 480px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/8a34236913b687b58af0e449ebb28deda5869bea\/0_0_8192_5464\/master\/8192.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 320px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 320px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/8a34236913b687b58af0e449ebb28deda5869bea\/0_0_8192_5464\/master\/8192.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 320px)\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"dcr-evn1e9\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/8a34236913b687b58af0e449ebb28deda5869bea\/0_0_8192_5464\/master\/8192.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" alt=\"A man and woman sit in an enclosed space with a dirt floor. Two large gas canisters and bags of rubbish are next to them\" width=\"445\" height=\"296.8115234375\" \/><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<figure id=\"77283fd8-9c21-4456-a2ff-dc419954dce6\" class=\"dcr-5h0uf4\" data-spacefinder-role=\"showcase\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\"><figcaption class=\"dcr-lvclai\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\">\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h6><em>Families work together as waste collectors in Manshiyet Nasr<\/em><\/h6>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-16w5gq9\">This, Nedi explains, is where Manshiyet Nasr steps in \u2013 and opinions of the area have started to shift.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"7da45df5-ae8d-418c-9839-ff57de9ef377\" class=\"dcr-15m7hh5\" data-spacefinder-role=\"halfWidth\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\">\n<div id=\"img-6\" class=\"dcr-1t8m8f2\"><picture class=\"dcr-evn1e9\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/240de2cb4be97eb7c51c57ea133832afd56dd5ec\/0_0_8192_5464\/master\/8192.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 320px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 320px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/240de2cb4be97eb7c51c57ea133832afd56dd5ec\/0_0_8192_5464\/master\/8192.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 320px)\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"dcr-evn1e9\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/240de2cb4be97eb7c51c57ea133832afd56dd5ec\/0_0_8192_5464\/master\/8192.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" alt=\"Portrait of a young man in a blue T-shirt\" width=\"445\" height=\"296.8115234375\" \/><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<figure id=\"7da45df5-ae8d-418c-9839-ff57de9ef377\" class=\"dcr-15m7hh5\" data-spacefinder-role=\"halfWidth\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\"><figcaption class=\"dcr-eyv1cr\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\">\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h6><em>Nedi educates his university friends about recycling being a positive action against plastic pollution<\/em><\/h6>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-16w5gq9\">\u201cWhile I was studying, I worked in recycling part-time to help pay my tuition,\u201d Nedi says, adding that his friends were curious and asked lots of questions. They wanted to learn more and started thinking about reducing their plastic consumption and environmental footprint. \u201cRecycling is becoming the cool thing to do here in Egypt,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-16w5gq9\">In Manshiyet Nasr, more young people are beginning to share that mindset; seeing recycling not just as a job, but as a way to drive change.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"6c173378-5ca4-41b6-9638-df4c3f3ea731\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.MultiImageBlockElement\">\n<div class=\"dcr-pw8kty\">\n<div class=\"dcr-2ke8sa\">\n<div class=\"dcr-1fnjjtg\" data-gu-name=\"first\">\n<div id=\"img-7\" class=\"dcr-1t8m8f2\"><picture class=\"dcr-evn1e9\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/22f04592adf22d2153ed14476ff631c901954197\/0_0_8192_5464\/master\/8192.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 320px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 320px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/22f04592adf22d2153ed14476ff631c901954197\/0_0_8192_5464\/master\/8192.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 320px)\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"dcr-evn1e9\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/22f04592adf22d2153ed14476ff631c901954197\/0_0_8192_5464\/master\/8192.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" alt=\"A woman in a flower print dress puts a plastic bottle in a black bag\" width=\"445\" height=\"296.8115234375\" \/><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<div class=\"dcr-1fnjjtg\" data-gu-name=\"second\">\n<div id=\"img-8\" class=\"dcr-1t8m8f2\"><picture class=\"dcr-evn1e9\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/82e4667ee8e1333930094d2443a37b47df0ebbe1\/0_0_8192_5464\/master\/8192.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 320px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 320px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/82e4667ee8e1333930094d2443a37b47df0ebbe1\/0_0_8192_5464\/master\/8192.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 320px)\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"dcr-evn1e9\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/82e4667ee8e1333930094d2443a37b47df0ebbe1\/0_0_8192_5464\/master\/8192.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" alt=\"A smiling man uses rope to secure a towering pile of bagged rubbish on to the back of a pickup truck\" width=\"445\" height=\"296.8115234375\" \/><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"dcr-pw8kty\">\n<div class=\"dcr-2ke8sa\">\n<div class=\"dcr-1fnjjtg\" data-gu-name=\"first\">\n<div id=\"img-9\" class=\"dcr-1t8m8f2\"><picture class=\"dcr-evn1e9\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/1af65b3338a663b6ee0f7b2e7d45de58d1d88064\/0_0_8192_5321\/master\/8192.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 320px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 320px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/1af65b3338a663b6ee0f7b2e7d45de58d1d88064\/0_0_8192_5321\/master\/8192.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 320px)\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"dcr-evn1e9\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/1af65b3338a663b6ee0f7b2e7d45de58d1d88064\/0_0_8192_5321\/master\/8192.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" alt=\"Two men manoeuvre huge bags of rubbish on a street \" width=\"445\" height=\"289.0435791015625\" \/><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"dcr-1fnjjtg\" data-gu-name=\"second\">\n<div id=\"img-10\" class=\"dcr-1t8m8f2\"><picture class=\"dcr-evn1e9\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/c55d111f566a7b2b15c8f09bb73a7447e57660c8\/0_0_7608_4942\/master\/7608.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 320px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 320px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/c55d111f566a7b2b15c8f09bb73a7447e57660c8\/0_0_7608_4942\/master\/7608.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 320px)\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"dcr-evn1e9\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/c55d111f566a7b2b15c8f09bb73a7447e57660c8\/0_0_7608_4942\/master\/7608.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" alt=\"Two men stand next to a pickup truck piled high with bags of rubbish\" width=\"445\" height=\"289.0628286014721\" \/><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure id=\"1501605e-49d5-46aa-b623-4e65c8476c02\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.MultiImageBlockElement\"><figcaption class=\"dcr-eyv1cr\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\">\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h6><em>Rubbish collectors in Manshiyet Nasr load bags of waste on to pickup trucks<\/em><\/h6>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-16w5gq9\">\u201cThe climate crisis is intensifying across the globe, including in Egypt, worsening water scarcity, heatwaves and food shortages,\u201d says Will Pearson, co-founder of Ocean Bottle, a London-based startup that sells reusable bottles and funds the removal of plastic equivalent to 1,000 bottles in weight for each one sold, with Manshiyet Nasr among its partner communities.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-16w5gq9\">\u201cGlobal plastic production emits greenhouse gases equivalent to the world\u2019s sixth-largest economy \u2013 it\u2019s in every way a growing and interconnected part of the problem,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"103edb2d-7e18-41b9-9932-c8b55752e4bd\" class=\"dcr-1your1i\" data-spacefinder-role=\"richLink\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement\">\n<div class=\"dcr-1kyw41h\" data-print-layout=\"hide\" data-link-name=\"rich-link-23 | 23\" data-component=\"rich-link\">\n<div class=\"dcr-r38usp\" data-format-theme=\"0\" data-format-design=\"10\" data-format-display=\"0\">\n<div class=\"dcr-1lhuo3r\"><\/div>\n<div><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"dcr-1e3yjba\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/725cbd7c4e5f7df69134b33207d8c5f25bf8b2ae\/95_781_4159_2495\/master\/4159.jpg?width=460&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=1836e63e9462f029701bf4faeb0fc300\" alt=\"A woman picks through waste at a huge landfill rubbish site\" width=\"4159\" height=\"2495\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"dcr-ut4tvs\">\n<div class=\"dcr-1h5b6rb\">\n<h6 class=\"dcr-1dgt1gs\"><em>\u2018It is ambitious, but ambition builds the world\u2019: can the Gambia\u2019s bold plan to cut plastic pollution work?<\/em><\/h6>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-16w5gq9\">According to the World Bank, the Middle East-north Africa region has the highest per capita footprint of plastic leakage into the marine environment, with the average resident releasing more than 6kg (13lb) of plastic waste into the ocean every year.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"d19ad026-39e8-48f1-9b6b-16710393026d\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\">\n<div id=\"img-11\" class=\"dcr-1t8m8f2\"><picture class=\"dcr-evn1e9\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/f5671af54b5c93a56692e53b96546b042b74090f\/0_0_8192_5464\/master\/8192.jpg?width=620&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 660px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 660px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/f5671af54b5c93a56692e53b96546b042b74090f\/0_0_8192_5464\/master\/8192.jpg?width=620&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 660px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/f5671af54b5c93a56692e53b96546b042b74090f\/0_0_8192_5464\/master\/8192.jpg?width=605&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 480px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 480px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/f5671af54b5c93a56692e53b96546b042b74090f\/0_0_8192_5464\/master\/8192.jpg?width=605&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 480px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/f5671af54b5c93a56692e53b96546b042b74090f\/0_0_8192_5464\/master\/8192.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 320px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 320px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/f5671af54b5c93a56692e53b96546b042b74090f\/0_0_8192_5464\/master\/8192.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 320px)\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"dcr-evn1e9\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/f5671af54b5c93a56692e53b96546b042b74090f\/0_0_8192_5464\/master\/8192.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" alt=\"A woman wearing a black shift dress walks down a street with a large canvas bag full of rubbish in the foreground\" width=\"445\" height=\"296.8115234375\" \/><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<figure id=\"d19ad026-39e8-48f1-9b6b-16710393026d\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\"><figcaption class=\"dcr-eyv1cr\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\">\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h6><em>Irini Edel, 29, is proud of her work as a rubbish collector<\/em><\/h6>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-16w5gq9\">This is what Irini Edel, 29, who also lives in Manshiyet Nasr, is afraid of. \u201cWe\u2019re polluting our planet and that\u2019s why I see my work as important. It\u2019s for the environment, and I\u2019m proud of it,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-16w5gq9\">She has recently joined Plastic Bank, a social fintech working in Manshiyet Nasr, and with a small team she has hired, she is processing up to 130kg of waste a day. Edel considers herself part of a growing movement of environmentally conscious Egyptians pushing for change.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"8fdf6ab7-d72f-44ee-bb08-a6db6b635907\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.MultiImageBlockElement\">\n<div class=\"dcr-pw8kty\">\n<div class=\"dcr-2ke8sa\">\n<div class=\"dcr-1fnjjtg\" data-gu-name=\"first\">\n<div id=\"img-12\" class=\"dcr-1t8m8f2\"><picture class=\"dcr-evn1e9\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/4331d6d04ee87be0459cdd3d1916dc954a001f97\/0_0_8192_5464\/master\/8192.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 320px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 320px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/4331d6d04ee87be0459cdd3d1916dc954a001f97\/0_0_8192_5464\/master\/8192.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 320px)\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"dcr-evn1e9\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/4331d6d04ee87be0459cdd3d1916dc954a001f97\/0_0_8192_5464\/master\/8192.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" alt=\"Portrait of a young woman in a black top\" width=\"445\" height=\"296.8115234375\" \/><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<div class=\"dcr-1fnjjtg\" data-gu-name=\"second\">\n<div id=\"img-13\" class=\"dcr-1t8m8f2\"><picture class=\"dcr-evn1e9\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/70210dd88db80c7b3c792a18825d233700b19727\/0_0_8021_5413\/master\/8021.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 320px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 320px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/70210dd88db80c7b3c792a18825d233700b19727\/0_0_8021_5413\/master\/8021.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 320px)\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"dcr-evn1e9\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/70210dd88db80c7b3c792a18825d233700b19727\/0_0_8021_5413\/master\/8021.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" alt=\"Portrait of a smiling girl in a pink top\" width=\"445\" height=\"300.30981174417155\" \/><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"dcr-pw8kty\">\n<div class=\"dcr-2ke8sa\">\n<div class=\"dcr-1fnjjtg\" data-gu-name=\"first\">\n<div id=\"img-14\" class=\"dcr-1t8m8f2\"><picture class=\"dcr-evn1e9\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/46ec15536110a28ed69b731a8b24e14ea67a3922\/0_0_5410_3607\/master\/5410.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 320px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 320px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/46ec15536110a28ed69b731a8b24e14ea67a3922\/0_0_5410_3607\/master\/5410.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 320px)\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"dcr-evn1e9\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/46ec15536110a28ed69b731a8b24e14ea67a3922\/0_0_5410_3607\/master\/5410.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" alt=\"Portrait of a smiling woman wearing a red headscarf\" width=\"445\" height=\"296.69408502772643\" \/><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"dcr-1fnjjtg\" data-gu-name=\"second\">\n<div id=\"img-15\" class=\"dcr-1t8m8f2\"><picture class=\"dcr-evn1e9\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/18ba70f5ca27265623d1f2b16c7b50b6457c6f9f\/0_0_7543_4992\/master\/7543.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 320px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 320px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/18ba70f5ca27265623d1f2b16c7b50b6457c6f9f\/0_0_7543_4992\/master\/7543.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 320px)\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"dcr-evn1e9\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/18ba70f5ca27265623d1f2b16c7b50b6457c6f9f\/0_0_7543_4992\/master\/7543.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" alt=\"Portrait of a young man wearing a yellow T-shirt\" width=\"445\" height=\"294.50351319103805\" \/><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure id=\"9d1f9705-b28b-4a01-a0c1-281792b4fb42\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.MultiImageBlockElement\"><figcaption class=\"dcr-eyv1cr\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\">\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h6><em>Top: Irini Edel is able to send her daughter, Justia, to school with money earned collecting rubbish; bottom: Emana Mohammed, 28, works as a rubbish collector and Korollus Foad, 21, is a recycler<\/em><\/h6>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-16w5gq9\">\u201cI have two young children, and my work is also for them, so they can have a cleaner future,\u201d she says, sitting in her cozy and carefully decorated home.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-16w5gq9\">Outside, children play football in the narrow alleys, darting between mounds of rubbish. Pickup trucks constantly arrive, with collectors lifting large bags into their garages and homes to sort through and sell on to companies that will reuse it.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-16w5gq9\">Michael Nedi, Mina\u2019s 20-year-old brother, says he does not mind living in Manshiyet Nasr.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"54ed4c03-c846-4d0e-91af-c3cf4087d0fe\" class=\"dcr-5h0uf4\" data-spacefinder-role=\"showcase\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\">\n<div id=\"img-16\" class=\"dcr-1t8m8f2\"><picture class=\"dcr-evn1e9\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/9493fda30f60fab8ffb406188961f661d4e221b2\/0_0_8192_5464\/master\/8192.jpg?width=880&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 1300px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 1300px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/9493fda30f60fab8ffb406188961f661d4e221b2\/0_0_8192_5464\/master\/8192.jpg?width=880&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 1300px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/9493fda30f60fab8ffb406188961f661d4e221b2\/0_0_8192_5464\/master\/8192.jpg?width=800&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 1140px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 1140px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/9493fda30f60fab8ffb406188961f661d4e221b2\/0_0_8192_5464\/master\/8192.jpg?width=800&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 1140px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/9493fda30f60fab8ffb406188961f661d4e221b2\/0_0_8192_5464\/master\/8192.jpg?width=640&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 980px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 980px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/9493fda30f60fab8ffb406188961f661d4e221b2\/0_0_8192_5464\/master\/8192.jpg?width=640&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 980px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/9493fda30f60fab8ffb406188961f661d4e221b2\/0_0_8192_5464\/master\/8192.jpg?width=620&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 660px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 660px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/9493fda30f60fab8ffb406188961f661d4e221b2\/0_0_8192_5464\/master\/8192.jpg?width=620&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 660px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/9493fda30f60fab8ffb406188961f661d4e221b2\/0_0_8192_5464\/master\/8192.jpg?width=605&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 480px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 480px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/9493fda30f60fab8ffb406188961f661d4e221b2\/0_0_8192_5464\/master\/8192.jpg?width=605&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 480px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/9493fda30f60fab8ffb406188961f661d4e221b2\/0_0_8192_5464\/master\/8192.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 320px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 320px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/9493fda30f60fab8ffb406188961f661d4e221b2\/0_0_8192_5464\/master\/8192.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 320px)\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"dcr-evn1e9\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/9493fda30f60fab8ffb406188961f661d4e221b2\/0_0_8192_5464\/master\/8192.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" alt=\"Portrait of a family sitting on the steps to their home\" width=\"445\" height=\"296.8115234375\" \/><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<figure id=\"54ed4c03-c846-4d0e-91af-c3cf4087d0fe\" class=\"dcr-5h0uf4\" data-spacefinder-role=\"showcase\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\"><figcaption class=\"dcr-lvclai\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\">\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h6><em>Fathy Rumany, 38, with his wife, Mary, 40 and three children. One of the families working in recycling in Manshiyet Nasr<\/em><\/h6>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-16w5gq9\">He is studying computer science at university, but outside class, he often talks to friends about recycling and the plastic crisis.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-16w5gq9\">\u201cThey respect me for what I do,\u201d he says. \u201cYoung people are more open now, more accepting.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-16w5gq9\">Just upstairs from where he sorts plastic after lectures, the family is renovating their apartment, investing in Manshiyet Nasr for the long run. The ceilings are beautifully decorated; the rooms spacious and bright. \u201cThis is our community and we are proud of it,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"710a7a0b-6c68-4958-90fd-ed2974c79193\" class=\"dcr-imskkt\" data-spacefinder-role=\"immersive\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\">\n<div id=\"img-17\" class=\"dcr-1t8m8f2\"><picture class=\"dcr-evn1e9\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/2c4c16e9ff7009d2ff09c5bfc880d85f6daf8a8a\/0_0_8192_5464\/master\/8192.jpg?width=1300&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 1300px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 1300px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/2c4c16e9ff7009d2ff09c5bfc880d85f6daf8a8a\/0_0_8192_5464\/master\/8192.jpg?width=1300&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 1300px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/2c4c16e9ff7009d2ff09c5bfc880d85f6daf8a8a\/0_0_8192_5464\/master\/8192.jpg?width=1140&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 1140px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 1140px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/2c4c16e9ff7009d2ff09c5bfc880d85f6daf8a8a\/0_0_8192_5464\/master\/8192.jpg?width=1140&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 1140px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/2c4c16e9ff7009d2ff09c5bfc880d85f6daf8a8a\/0_0_8192_5464\/master\/8192.jpg?width=1125&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 980px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 980px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/2c4c16e9ff7009d2ff09c5bfc880d85f6daf8a8a\/0_0_8192_5464\/master\/8192.jpg?width=1125&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 980px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/2c4c16e9ff7009d2ff09c5bfc880d85f6daf8a8a\/0_0_8192_5464\/master\/8192.jpg?width=965&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 740px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 740px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/2c4c16e9ff7009d2ff09c5bfc880d85f6daf8a8a\/0_0_8192_5464\/master\/8192.jpg?width=965&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 740px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/2c4c16e9ff7009d2ff09c5bfc880d85f6daf8a8a\/0_0_8192_5464\/master\/8192.jpg?width=725&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 660px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 660px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/2c4c16e9ff7009d2ff09c5bfc880d85f6daf8a8a\/0_0_8192_5464\/master\/8192.jpg?width=725&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 660px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/2c4c16e9ff7009d2ff09c5bfc880d85f6daf8a8a\/0_0_8192_5464\/master\/8192.jpg?width=645&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 480px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 480px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/2c4c16e9ff7009d2ff09c5bfc880d85f6daf8a8a\/0_0_8192_5464\/master\/8192.jpg?width=645&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 480px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/2c4c16e9ff7009d2ff09c5bfc880d85f6daf8a8a\/0_0_8192_5464\/master\/8192.jpg?width=465&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 320px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-width: 320px) and (min-resolution: 120dpi)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/2c4c16e9ff7009d2ff09c5bfc880d85f6daf8a8a\/0_0_8192_5464\/master\/8192.jpg?width=465&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" media=\"(min-width: 320px)\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"dcr-evn1e9\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/2c4c16e9ff7009d2ff09c5bfc880d85f6daf8a8a\/0_0_8192_5464\/master\/8192.jpg?width=465&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" alt=\"A group of children kick a football in a street lined with bags of rubbish\" width=\"465\" height=\"310.1513671875\" \/><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<div id=\"maincontent\" class=\"dcr-1uvtuj9\">\n<div class=\"article-body-commercial-selector article-body-viewer-selector dcr-11jq3zt\">\n<figure id=\"710a7a0b-6c68-4958-90fd-ed2974c79193\" class=\"dcr-imskkt\" data-spacefinder-role=\"immersive\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\"><figcaption class=\"dcr-lvclai\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\">\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h6><em>Children play outside amid the piles of rubbish<\/em><\/h6>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Piles of waste line the streets of Manshiyet Nasr, turning it into a no-go zone&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1542,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[55],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1541","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-egypt"],"featured_image_urls":{"full":["https:\/\/eandelmagazine.com\/eandelmagazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Screenshot-2025-07-19-at-11-39-33-Young-educated-and-knee-deep-in-rubbish-the-recyclers-cleaning-up-in-Cairos-Garbage-City-Global-development-The-Guardian.png",949,627,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/eandelmagazine.com\/eandelmagazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Screenshot-2025-07-19-at-11-39-33-Young-educated-and-knee-deep-in-rubbish-the-recyclers-cleaning-up-in-Cairos-Garbage-City-Global-development-The-Guardian-150x150.png",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/eandelmagazine.com\/eandelmagazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Screenshot-2025-07-19-at-11-39-33-Young-educated-and-knee-deep-in-rubbish-the-recyclers-cleaning-up-in-Cairos-Garbage-City-Global-development-The-Guardian-300x198.png",300,198,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/eandelmagazine.com\/eandelmagazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Screenshot-2025-07-19-at-11-39-33-Young-educated-and-knee-deep-in-rubbish-the-recyclers-cleaning-up-in-Cairos-Garbage-City-Global-development-The-Guardian-768x507.png",640,423,true],"large":["https:\/\/eandelmagazine.com\/eandelmagazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Screenshot-2025-07-19-at-11-39-33-Young-educated-and-knee-deep-in-rubbish-the-recyclers-cleaning-up-in-Cairos-Garbage-City-Global-development-The-Guardian.png",640,423,false],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/eandelmagazine.com\/eandelmagazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Screenshot-2025-07-19-at-11-39-33-Young-educated-and-knee-deep-in-rubbish-the-recyclers-cleaning-up-in-Cairos-Garbage-City-Global-development-The-Guardian.png",949,627,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/eandelmagazine.com\/eandelmagazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Screenshot-2025-07-19-at-11-39-33-Young-educated-and-knee-deep-in-rubbish-the-recyclers-cleaning-up-in-Cairos-Garbage-City-Global-development-The-Guardian.png",949,627,false],"wpucv-grid-three":["https:\/\/eandelmagazine.com\/eandelmagazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Screenshot-2025-07-19-at-11-39-33-Young-educated-and-knee-deep-in-rubbish-the-recyclers-cleaning-up-in-Cairos-Garbage-City-Global-development-The-Guardian.png",360,238,false],"wpucv-grid-two":["https:\/\/eandelmagazine.com\/eandelmagazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Screenshot-2025-07-19-at-11-39-33-Young-educated-and-knee-deep-in-rubbish-the-recyclers-cleaning-up-in-Cairos-Garbage-City-Global-development-The-Guardian.png",600,396,false],"wpucv-grid-one":["https:\/\/eandelmagazine.com\/eandelmagazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Screenshot-2025-07-19-at-11-39-33-Young-educated-and-knee-deep-in-rubbish-the-recyclers-cleaning-up-in-Cairos-Garbage-City-Global-development-The-Guardian.png",800,529,false],"wpucv-classic":["https:\/\/eandelmagazine.com\/eandelmagazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Screenshot-2025-07-19-at-11-39-33-Young-educated-and-knee-deep-in-rubbish-the-recyclers-cleaning-up-in-Cairos-Garbage-City-Global-development-The-Guardian.png",257,170,false],"wpucv-classic-small":["https:\/\/eandelmagazine.com\/eandelmagazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Screenshot-2025-07-19-at-11-39-33-Young-educated-and-knee-deep-in-rubbish-the-recyclers-cleaning-up-in-Cairos-Garbage-City-Global-development-The-Guardian.png",150,99,false],"wpucv-galary":["https:\/\/eandelmagazine.com\/eandelmagazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Screenshot-2025-07-19-at-11-39-33-Young-educated-and-knee-deep-in-rubbish-the-recyclers-cleaning-up-in-Cairos-Garbage-City-Global-development-The-Guardian.png",400,264,false],"covernews-slider-full":["https:\/\/eandelmagazine.com\/eandelmagazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Screenshot-2025-07-19-at-11-39-33-Young-educated-and-knee-deep-in-rubbish-the-recyclers-cleaning-up-in-Cairos-Garbage-City-Global-development-The-Guardian.png",949,627,false],"covernews-slider-center":["https:\/\/eandelmagazine.com\/eandelmagazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Screenshot-2025-07-19-at-11-39-33-Young-educated-and-knee-deep-in-rubbish-the-recyclers-cleaning-up-in-Cairos-Garbage-City-Global-development-The-Guardian-800x500.png",800,500,true],"covernews-featured":["https:\/\/eandelmagazine.com\/eandelmagazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Screenshot-2025-07-19-at-11-39-33-Young-educated-and-knee-deep-in-rubbish-the-recyclers-cleaning-up-in-Cairos-Garbage-City-Global-development-The-Guardian.png",949,627,false],"covernews-medium":["https:\/\/eandelmagazine.com\/eandelmagazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Screenshot-2025-07-19-at-11-39-33-Young-educated-and-knee-deep-in-rubbish-the-recyclers-cleaning-up-in-Cairos-Garbage-City-Global-development-The-Guardian-540x340.png",540,340,true],"coverne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