The Environment Ministry, in coordination with Alexandria Governorate, launched the first phase of a cleanup campaign on islands off Egypt’s Mediterranean coast under the slogan “Sustainable Seas,” officials said.
The initiative involved 30 volunteers from the “BanPlastic” and “Stay Positive” organizations and aims to reduce marine pollution and restore natural ecosystems.
Acting Environment Minister Manal Awad said the campaign focuses on removing solid waste, especially plastic debris accumulated on the islands from fishing, tourism, and seasonal winds, which can end up in the sea and on Egyptian beaches, posing risks to both the environment and human health. During the activity, volunteers collected around 80 kilograms of plastic and metal waste, old fishing nets, and wood, which were sorted and sent to recycling facilities for economic reuse. Parallel efforts also took place on Miami Beach, where another group removed approximately 90 kilograms of solid waste, mainly plastic.
The campaign was supervised by Sameh Riyad, head of the regional branch of the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA) for Alexandria and West Delta, and by Ahmed Ibrahim, head of Alexandria’s Central Administration for Tourism and Resorts.
Awad, who also serves as the Minister of Local Development, emphasized that the initiative aligns with Egypt’s commitments under the Barcelona Convention to protect the Mediterranean and coastal areas from pollution, especially as Egypt prepares to assume the presidency of the convention’s executive office starting January 2026. Egypt hosted the 24th Conference of Parties (COP24) of the Barcelona Convention in late December 2025, with representatives from Mediterranean countries and international organizations under the UN Environment Programme in attendance.
Scientific reports cited by the Environment Ministry indicate that slow-degrading plastic waste can release microplastic particles into the marine food chain, impacting fish and other marine life.
MENA
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