Zamalek Says Goodbye to Plastic Bags

Cairo’s island district of Zamalek, home to a vibrant culture scene and some of the best food spots in the city, has just bid a long overdue adieu to single-use plastic bags. The Ministry of Environment, in collaboration with environmental group Very Nile, have sealed the deal of eco-friendly partnership in an initiative to limit the use of plastic bags on the island. It looks like Zamalek is finally joining the green scene. 

Minister Yasmine Fouad said, “The shift to using environmentally friendly bags instead of plastic bags needs a change in lifestyle and a change of habits in a positive way.” Easier said than done, but hopefully it won't be for lack of trying. To complement the new initiative, Fouad suggested that people start incorporating new lifestyle choices in their everyday routines like using reusable shopping bags, alternative straw options, and portable coffee mugs instead of using single-use cups.

Very Nile, a not-for-profit youth volunteer group, dedicates their efforts to plastic waste removal in the Nile since 2018, and was founded by Egyptian environmental startups Greenish and Bassita. What other green moves would you like our Cairene districts to adopt? Let us know in the comments below.