Plastic Bank celebrated, yesterday, the collection of more than 300 million plastic bottles in Egypt, preventing them from reaching the river and seas.

This new milestone comes as part of its strategic partnership with Henkel Egypt.

The event was held at the house of the Canadian Ambassador to Egypt, H.E. Louis Dumas, and in the presence of Amr El-Kady, Regional Director for Egypt, Middle East & Africa at Plastic Bank; and Carol Milan, General Manager at Henkel Egypt.

Plastic Bank has formulated a comprehensive strategy that aims at creating an ecosystem for collecting plastic waste and improving waste collectors’ living conditions.

Moreover, it plans to promote plastic waste exports in Egypt, which contribute to the national economy; offering a source of foreign currency, job opportunities, and a competitive advantage.

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Under its strategic partnership with Henkel Egypt, Plastic Bank introduced a comprehensive ecosystem for the first time in Egypt to support the circular economy.

As a social enterprise, it aims to reduce plastic waste and improve the living conditions of low-income families through establishing plastic waste collection centers.

These centers will enable the process of collecting, sorting, and recycling plastic waste. Then, the recycled materials will be used as raw materials in the manufacture of other products.

Thus, this process will maximize the use of natural resources in order to limit plastic waste and resource inputs, contributing to reducing carbon emissions and environmental pollution.

H.E. Louis Dumas, said: “Today, as we mark Plastic Bank’s milestone of stopping 300 million plastic bottles from being dumped into both the Mediterranean and Red Sea, we also pause to reflect on how they managed to make people see the value in plastic and envision a better tomorrow.

"As we get ready to head to COP27 next week, this milestone serves as a reminder there is a dire need for cross-sectoral approaches to tackle climate change by establishing robust ecosystems, and a circular economy, for the good of healthy biodiversity and people."

Amr El-Kady, Regional Director for Egypt, Middle East & Africa at Plastic Bank expressed his appreciation for the efforts of the Canadian Ambassador to Egypt H.E. Louis Dumas, towards the environmental and plastic pollution issues.

He said: “The partnership between Plastic Bank and Henkel Egypt is novel in its own and aims at providing a solution to reduce plastic waste, and addressing the social challenges related to poverty and lack of job opportunities as well.

"Today, we celebrate the collection of 300 million plastic bottles through this successful partnership, which supports sustainable development as a whole.

“Plastic Bank constantly conducts market researches in Egypt to efficiently serve the beneficiaries through localized solutions that are consistent with Egypt’s infrastructure, culture and logistical requirements."

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