Egypt's Annual Plastic Production: Environmental Impact

Plastic waste is a pressing issue in Egypt, where the average person uses between 500 and 565 plastic bags per year. The country's plastic consumption reached 25 kilograms per capita in 2012, with an annual total of 12 billion plastic bags. Egypt's plastic imports have also increased in recent years, reaching $4,093,208 million in 2021. This has led to a rise in the cost of raw materials, impacting businesses that rely on plastic packaging. To address this issue, Egypt has set targets to reduce plastic bag consumption to 100 bags per person per year by 2025 and 50 bags by 2030.

Plastic bag consumption in Egypt

The Egyptian government has recognised the need to reduce plastic bag consumption and has implemented strategies to achieve this. Prime Minister’s Decision No. 559 introduces the Egyptian Standard Specifications (3040) for plastic shopping bags and the Egyptian Standard Specifications (8570) for home-compostable plastic. The aim is to extend the producer responsibility system to single-use plastic bags and reduce consumption to 50 bags per person per year by 2030.

The target timeline for implementing this strategy spans from 2021 to 2030, with an intermediate goal of reducing plastic bag consumption to 100 bags per person per year by 2025. This will be facilitated by increased regulatory oversight of the materials used to manufacture bags and the enforcement of certifications and licenses for factories.

The rising cost of raw materials used in plastic bag production may also contribute to reduced consumption, as it will incentivise consumers to seek out more affordable alternatives. However, the impact of this is uncertain as some consumers may be willing to pay a higher price for certain types of bags, such as transparent bags that showcase the quality of fruits and vegetables.

Plastic bag imports to Egypt

Egypt consumes about 12 billion plastic bags annually, with per capita plastic consumption reaching 25 kilograms in 2012. This figure has doubled in recent years, with the average plastic bag import price standing at $4,394 per ton in 2021, a 20% increase from the previous year. In value terms, the largest plastic bag suppliers to Egypt are China, Italy and Vietnam, with a combined 42% share of total imports.

Egypt's imports of plastics and materials reached approximately $4,093,208 million in 2021, a 37.42% increase from 2020. The price of plastic bags has increased significantly due to the rise in the cost of raw materials.

Egypt aims to reduce plastic bag consumption to 100 bags per person per year by 2025 and 50 bags per person per year by 2030. This will be achieved through the adoption of the Egyptian Standard Specifications (3040) for plastic shopping bags and the Egyptian Standard Specifications (8570) for home-compostable plastic.

Plastic bag production in Egypt

One of the leading plastic factories in Egypt is EGYPLAST, which has a yearly production capacity of 140,000 tons. The company specialises in compounding and processing sustainable polymers and operates two factories established with German technology. Another well-known plastic factory in Egypt is El Mostafa, which was established in 2004 and focuses on offering tailored solutions for specific use cases and requirements.

The cost of producing plastic bags in Egypt has increased due to the rising price of raw materials. This has led to some businesses, such as fruit and vegetable sellers, re-evaluating their options and considering transparent bags that showcase the quality of their products.

Plastic bag waste in Egypt

Plastic bag waste is a pressing issue in Egypt, with the country consuming about 12 billion plastic bags annually. This figure translates to a per capita plastic consumption of 25 kilograms in 2012, and an average of 565 bags per person per year in Greater Cairo. Outside of the capital, the consumption ranges from 500 to 350 bags per person annually.

The Egyptian government has recognised the severity of this issue and is taking steps to address it. The Ministry of Environment has announced the adoption of the Egyptian Standard Specifications (3040) for plastic shopping bags and the Egyptian Standard Specifications (8570) for home-compostable plastic. These measures aim to extend the producer responsibility system to single-use plastic bags and reduce overall plastic bag consumption.

The target timeline for implementing this strategy spans from 2021 to 2030, with a goal of decreasing plastic bag usage to 100 bags per person per year by 2025 and 50 bags per person per year by 2030. This reduction will significantly impact the environment, as plastic waste has been identified as a silent killer in Egypt, contributing to respiratory illnesses and epidemics that claim the lives of children worldwide.

Egypt's imports of plastics and materials have also seen a notable increase, reaching approximately $4,093,208 million in 2021, a 37.42% rise compared to 2020. This surge in imports underscores the importance of implementing effective waste management strategies and encouraging the use of sustainable alternatives to reduce the environmental footprint associated with plastic bag waste in Egypt.

Plastic bag regulations in Egypt

Egypt consumes about 12 billion plastic bags annually, with per capita plastic consumption reaching 25 kilograms in 2012. The average number of plastic bags used per person per year in Greater Cairo is 565, and between 500-350 bags per person nationwide.

The Egyptian government has introduced several measures to regulate the use of plastic bags and reduce plastic waste. Prime Minister's Decision No. 559, regarding the adoption of the implementation of the Egyptian Standard Specifications (3040) for plastic shopping bags and the Egyptian Standard Specifications (8570) for home-compostable plastic, aims to reduce plastic bag consumption to 50 bags per person per year by 2030. The government has also set intermediate targets, aiming to reduce plastic bag consumption to 100 bags per person per year by 2025.

To achieve these targets, the government has introduced fees on producers to reduce single-use plastic bags. The Waste Management Law (Law No. 202 of 2020) classifies plastic shopping bags as products subject to the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policy, making manufacturers responsible for the entire lifecycle of their products, from production to post-consumer waste. This includes the safe disposal of plastic waste by government agencies, ensuring accountability and waste reduction.

Additionally, Egypt's law punishes violations of manufacturing specifications for single-use plastic bags. The law defines penalties, including fines of at least one thousand pounds and up to five hundred thousand pounds, for those who manufacture, import or export single-use plastic bags without complying with the controls, requirements and technical specifications issued by the Minister of Trade and Industry. The law also states that the sale, circulation, storage, free distribution or disposal of single-use plastic bags is not allowed, except in accordance with the controls, conditions, and technical specifications specified by the executive regulations.

The Minister of Finance, in coordination with the Competent Minister and the Minister of Trade and Industry, is also encouraged to provide financial and economic incentives and tax and customs exemptions to promote the import, production and manufacture of environmentally friendly alternatives to single-use plastic bags.

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