Egypt has received a $9.13 million grant from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) as an additional funding to expand the Greater Cairo Air Pollution Management and Climate Change project, financed by the World Bank.
Egyptian Minister of Environment Yasmin Fouad announced on Sunday the activation of the sixth component of the project, which entails reducing unintentional persistent organic pollutant emissions through improved management of electronic waste and healthcare waste.
Fouad stated that the activities of this component come within the framework of achieving the goals of the National Strategy for Climate Change 2050 and the commitment of the Egyptian government and its efforts to transition to a green economy.
She further highlighted that the project aims to enhance e-waste management, develop strategies and guidelines for used electronics, offer technical support, and build capacity for key public and private entities to execute extended producer responsibility plans.
The project will offer technical support to e-waste recyclers to improve efficiency and safety, along with developing educational resources on e-waste systems, updating and monitoring e-waste data, and setting up a comprehensive management information system, the minister added.
It will also conduct trials for safe e-waste collection, dismantling, and recycling, test recovery schemes, and foster private sector involvement.
The project will explore financing options, including sub-grants for startups and SMEs in e-waste recycling, and plan to integrate the informal recycling sector.
