Solid Waste Management
THE STATION
In 1997, Hemaya established the first solid waste management station in Sinai, marking a major step toward environmental responsibility in the region. At a time where waste disposal was unmanaged, leaving garbage to pile up in natural landscapes or be burned, Hemaya took the initiative to introduce a structured system, ensuring a cleaner and more sustainable future for both the environment and local communities.
The project was financed by "The Egyptian social fund", co-signed by APE (Association for Protection of Environment) and consulted by CID (Community and Institutional Development) in 1997. The architectural design was made by RDSF (Ramy el Dahan & Soheir Farid). After one year the station was fully operating.
The project consists of three main sectors:
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Collecting and transporting solid and organic waste
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Sorting station for the Solid Waste
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Training center
Initially Hemaya covered a vast 80 km stretch from Taba to Nuweiba, taking the responsibility of collecting waste from hotels and camps along the coastline. From 2006 - 2019 Hemaya extended it range up till Dahab.
Today Hemaya continues to manage an 80 km range between Taba and Nuweiba, maintaining its crucial role in managing waste collection.
Garbage is collected pre-sorted from the different locations into organic and non-organic waste. The organic waste is transported to designated feeding stations, where local Bedouins use it to sustain their livestock, turning waste into a valuable resource. While the non-organic waste is carefully sorted into:
Plastic - Metal - Glass - Paper - each undergoing a specialized treatment process:
Plastic Waste
Poses a severe threat to both land and marine ecosystems. Plastic debris, such as bottles, bags, and packaging travel vast distances, getting entangled in desert vegetation, suffocating wildlife, and eventually reaching the sea. Over 90% of seabirds and marine animals ingest plastic, mistaking it for food, leading to internal injuries, starvation, and death. Sea turtles, for instance, often confuse plastic bags for jellyfish (their natural prey). While fish and shellfish unknowingly consume microplastics contaminating the entire food chain, including humans.
Plastic does not decompose. Instead, it slowly breaks down into microplastics, which pollute soil, water, and even the air we breathe.
Hemaya collects the plastic waste, sorts it into the different types of plastic, such as PET, HDPE, PVC.. etc. and proceeds to shredding, compressing, and transporting it to Cairo for recycling or repurposing.
PAPER WASTE
Has become an often-overlooked environmental hazard. Discarded paper and cardboard are easily swept into the desert, lodging in fragile ecosystems, or carried toward the Red Sea, where they pose a risk to marine life. Unlike in urban settings, where waste can be more easily contained, here, paper waste accumulates in vast open spaces, disrupting the natural beauty of the coastline and harming local wildlife.
Hemaya recognizes the urgency of this issue. All the paper waste is bundled into compact, stackable piles to minimize its spread and ensure efficient transportation. Once processed, the waste is sent to Cairo for recycling and repurposing, preventing it from accumulating in the environment and contributing to a more sustainable waste management system in South Sinai.
Metal Waste
Particularly aluminum and steel, present significant environmental challenges. Although metals are infinitely recyclable, discarded metal items like cans, bottles, and scraps often end up on the ground or the sea. Over time, the accumulation of corroding metal waste releases toxic substances into the soil and water, further polluting the environment and harming local ecosystems. In hot climates, metal waste can corrode quickly when exposed to the harsh sun, leading to soil contamination and creating a breeding ground for dangerous bacteria.
Hemaya addresses the growing issue of metal waste by collecting it, sorting it into aluminum, steel, copper and such to finally compressing it into squared cubes, that are sent for recycling to Cairo.
Glass waste
Poses significant environmental challenges due to its non-biodegradable nature. Discarded glass bottles, jars, and other items are often found in either whole or shatter into pieces, which can be hazardous to wildlife and humans. While glass is 100% recyclable, the improper disposal of glass in remote regions like South Sinai can lead to significant waste accumulation, meaning it can remain in the environment for centuries, polluting the land and sea.
Hemaya carefully collects and sorts out the glass into clear glass, colored glass, tempered glass, glass with coatings and such. Broken glass is crushed, packed into large sacks, and sent to recycling facilities in Cairo to create new products, such as sandpaper and other items.
Textiles
Textile waste is a growing environmental concern, particularly the fast fashion industry and the improper disposal of old rugs, unused or ripped textiles made from synthetic fibers like polyester, can take hundreds of years to decompose. Discarded textiles can become a source of litter in the desert and along the coastline, even get entangled on the corals disrupting ecosystems and posing risks to wildlife.
Hemaya collects and sorts unwanted clothing and textiles. Usable textiles are cleaned, repurposed, or sent to recycling centers, where they can be transformed into new products like insulation material, rags, or recycled fabric.
organic waste
There are a number of hotels and camps in the area which leads to alot of left over organic waste. Improperly disposed organic waste will decompose in open spaces, food scraps and organic matter attract pests, produce foul odors, and release methane gas, a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change.
Hemaya alternatively tries to utilize these left overs by creating an organic waste collection system. Organic waste is separated at the source and transported to known feeding stations, where local Bedouin communities feed it to their animals. This process not only reduces waste and methane emissions, but also supports sustainable livestock feeding practices, ensuring that organic materials are put to productive use rather than becoming pollutants
Hemaya has become a leading force in preserving South Sinai’s fragile ecosystems, focusing on the area between Nuweiba and Taba. By addressing solid waste, the NGO works to reduce pollution, prevents landfill overflow, and promotes sustainable resource use. Its efforts not only safeguard the Red Sea’s marine life and desert landscapes but also support local Bedouin communities.
As the first and only solid waste management NGO in the region, Hemaya continues to drive environmental conservation and create lasting impact. Through transforming waste into reusable resources and raising awareness about responsible disposal, Hemaya is shaping a cleaner, more sustainable future for South Sinai.
One initiative at a time.