With the aim of raising awareness on the potential use of waste as a resource, a number of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) working in the field of waste recycling took part in an exhibition held on the sidelines of the 14th Conference of the Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity, currently held at the South Sinai Red Sea resort of Sharm al-Sheikh. Egypt’s Environment Minister Yasmine Fouad opened the exhibition.
Al-Fayrouz Association from the North Sinai city of al-Arish put on display mattresses, curtains, hats and bags made of sheep wool and palm remnants, manufactured by more than 300 Sinai women who make a living out of producing and selling such goods.
The Medicinal Plants Association from the town of Saint Catherine in South Sinai, displayed a magnificent model of Sinai’s native blue butterfly, made by children out of the covers of old books and notebooks. On exhibit were products recycled from agricultural waste made by al-Nafeza Foundation for Contemporary Art and Development. Nafeza is an Egyptian foundation working in the fields of art and development since 2007. Its paper-making centre in al-Fustat in Old Cairo produces more than 120 multipurpose paper products put of banana leaves, palm fronds, and rice straw.
The Society for Development and Environment Protection in the North Sinai town of Bir al-Abd displayed goods made by Beduin women, including shopping bags made of leftover fabrics, with an aim of reducing the use of plastic bags.
Watani International
26 November 2018