3 days ago
Update: Egypt Launches ‘Reduce It' Campaign to Reduce Single-Use Plastic bags
CAIRO – 1 June 2025: In a move to raise public awareness about the environmental hazards of single-use plastic bags, Egypt's Minister of Environment, Dr. Yasmine Fouad, launched the 'Reduce It' campaign in cooperation with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
The campaign aims to curb the production and consumption of single-use plastic bags, with a particular focus on plastic manufacturing facilities across Egypt. This initiative aligns with World Environment Day, observed globally on June 5.
During the launch event, Minister Fouad outlined Egypt's recent efforts to combat plastic pollution, beginning with the National Strategy to Reduce Single-Use Plastic Bags, which includes setting specifications for alternative products while supporting a fair and inclusive green transition, particularly given the large number of producers and users involved in this industry.
She emphasized that the 'Reduce It' campaign seeks to gradually phase down the use of plastic, recognizing it as a valuable raw material that must be used more responsibly. 'The Ministry of Environment has taken firm steps in collaboration with the industrial sector to reduce plastic waste, especially as the world moves toward concluding a legally binding international agreement to combat plastic pollution,' she said.
Dr. Fouad also highlighted the economic and environmental benefits of reducing plastic bag production, including lowering Egypt's import bill for raw materials and enabling manufacturers to produce compliant, eco-friendly alternatives. For consumers, the shift will allow for more durable, reusable bags that reduce both costs and waste.
Japanese Ambassador to Egypt IWAI Fumio expressed his appreciation to all partners involved in the campaign, including the Ministry of Environment and UNIDO. He reaffirmed Japan's commitment to supporting Egypt's environmental goals, referencing a 2019 agreement between Japanese leadership and President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to promote a green and sustainable economy in Egypt. He added in his speech that Japan managed to reduce the plastics from 200,000 tons to 100,000 tons year by year. He added that this campaign will be a sustainable model for Africa.
Ambassador Fumio noted that the campaign focuses on capacity-building, technical support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and raising public awareness. He expressed Japan's hope that Egypt will emerge as a center of environmental excellence in Africa, positioning the 'Reduce It' campaign as a model for sustainable development across the continent.
Patrick Jean Gilabert, UNIDO's Regional Representative in Egypt, also participated in the launch and congratulated Dr. Fouad on her recent appointment as Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). He confirmed that UNIDO is currently implementing 23 projects in Egypt to support environmental sustainability, with investments totaling $3.5 billion, and noted that more initiatives are in the pipeline.
Underscoring the urgency of the campaign, a report issued in April 2024 by the Egyptian Cabinet's Information and Decision Support Center (IDSC) revealed that Egypt consumed nearly 5 million tons of single-use plastic products during the 2022/2023 fiscal year.
Globally, only 10 percent of the estimated 7 billion tons of plastic waste is recycled, according to the same report. The rest ends up polluting ecosystems, incinerated, or buried unsustainably, often after being transported long distances. This waste crisis contributes to an estimated $300–$600 billion in annual global economic losses and poses a significant threat to both human health and biodiversity.
