CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS FOR EXTENDED PRODUCER RESPONSIBILITY IN EGYPT

Sayed, Mohamed; Elagroudy, Sherien; Nassour, Abdallah

doi:10.21608/auej.2024.316649.1707

CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS FOR EXTENDED PRODUCER RESPONSIBILITY IN EGYPT

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Heliopolis University, Cairo, Egypt

² Egypt Solid Waste Management Center of Excellence, Faculty of Engineering, Ain Shams University, Cairo

³ Department of Waste and Resource Management, Rostock University, 18051 Rostock, Germany

10.21608/auej.2024.316649.1707

Abstract

This paper explores the challenges and proposes solutions for implementing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in Egypt, with a particular focus on managing plastic waste. Egypt spends a significant portion of its annual budget on waste management, which places a considerable strain on its financial system. The implementation of EPR faces several obstacles, including inadequate infrastructure, limited resources, and weak regulatory frameworks, coupled with insufficient coordination among stakeholders. The study emphasizes the importance of integrating both formal and informal waste collectors, such as the Zabbaleen, to enhance the efficiency of waste management. The research methodology involved conducting case studies on both developed and developing countries to understand the application of EPR and identify best practices. Moreover, interviews were conducted with key stakeholders in Egypt to gather insights on current challenges and potential solutions. The paper also discusses government initiatives, including the 2017 pilot project aimed at incentivizing recycling, which faced resistance from private garbage collectors. By addressing these challenges and fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders, the paper proposes a framework that visually maps out the connections between different stakeholders to facilitate effective EPR implementation in Egypt. The findings underscore the importance of clear stakeholder coordination and engagement to ensure a sustainable and successful EPR system that benefits both the environment and the economy.

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