The Egyptian neighbourhood turning rubbish into resources - in pictures

Manchiyet Nasser has nearly 5,000 workshops recycling plastic, aluminum and cardboard

Recycling workers manufacture plastic in the Manchiyet Nasser area of Mokattem, in Cairo. Leaders of the Zabbaleen community in Mokattem say 5,000 tonnes of waste are collected every day. They estimate that up to 85 per cent of the rubbish collected is recycled. All photos: EPA

A man picks up waste cans for recyclables that can be re-sold in the area of Manchiyet Nasser, in Mokattem, Cairo, Egypt, 14 June 2022 (issued 20 July 2022). According to leaders of the Zabbaleen community in Mokattem, five thousand tons of garbage are collected everyday by the Zabbaleen (garbage collectors) living and working in the area of Manchiyet Nasser. They estimate up to 85 percent of the garbage collected are being recycled. The neighborhood of Manchiyet Nasser has nearly 5,000 workshops recycling plastic, aluminum and cardboards. The organic garbage is used to feed the pigs and the other animals owned by the families of the area. About ten percent of the garbage cannot be recycled and is collected by the Association of Garbage Collectors for Community Development. EPA / KHALED ELFIQI

Workers moving plastic to be recycled. About 10 per cent of the rubbish cannot be recycled and is collected by the Association of Garbage Collectors for Community Development.

Waste cardboard for recycling.

Workers pour aluminium prepared from recycled material at a workshop in Mokattem.

A woman in Mokattem passes bags of waste being collected for recycling.

Workers sort aluminum items for recycling in Cairo, Egypt.

A worker at the recycling facility takes a breather.

Waste cardboard for recycling.

A man collecting waste to be recycled in Cairo.

Rubbish collectors in Cairo.

Crushed cans being stacked ready to recycle in Mokattem, Cairo.

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