The collection and proper treatment and disposal of the increasing amounts of solid waste represents a daily challenge to governorates and municipalities. As uncontrolled disposal and burning of solid wastes constitutes a major environmental problem, the development of environmentally sound solid waste management systems throughout the country, is a high priority of the MSEA and its executive institution, EEAA. This challenge is being met by the development of strategic plans, operational programs, practical guidelines for integrated solid waste management, as well as the conduct of training programs, and the implementation of relevant demonstration projects in partnership with all stakeholders. In this respect, a number of important accomplishments have been achieved during 2000/2001.

A national program for the Integrated Solid Waste Management was initiated during 2000/2001. The program, relies on a close cooperation between the different concerned ministries and MSEA, both on the central and local government levels, and is based on a number of important principles. These comprise the "polluter pays" principle, the development of an enabling financial, institutional and legislative environment, to ensure the active participation of the private sector, a support to the decentralization of the management systems, the promotion of waste minimization and waste recycling and reuse, and building public awareness. The program addresses the different categories of solid wastes, entailing municipal, agricultural, healthcare, and construction and demolition wastes as a first priority, and industrial waste, waste generated from clearing of water and drainage canals, as well as municipal wastewater sludge, as second priority. This is carried out through 13 lines of actions composed of a fast track initiative for the clearing of solid waste accumulations, and long-term solutions addressing the roots of the challenges.

Within the framework of the national program for the Integrated Solid Waste Management , the National Strategy for Municipal Solid Waste, developed in 1999/2000 with support from the Egyptian Environmental Policy Program, was finalized in 2000/2001, and adopted by the Cabinet of Ministers. It sets the overall direction for municipal solid waste management in Egypt over a period of 10 years, laying down the principles for its operationalization.

Other accomplishments include the publication of a number of guidelines on waste management. The purpose of these guidelines is to keep governorates, municipalities, waste generators and other stakeholders updated about recent developments in various practical aspects of municipal solid waste management. The published material include an overview of the legal framework for solid waste management in Egypt, the most commonly used terms in waste management and their definitions, guidelines for siting of landfills, regulations and requirements for composting facilities and requirements for waste containers and other types of storage facilities. During the coming year, the guidelines will be disseminated among governorates, municipalities and other stakeholders and parties of interest in waste management.

The final disposal of solid wastes presents one of the important components of an effective management system. In this respect, EEAA has initiated a Landfill Siting Program, carried out in collaboration with the Life Program of the European Union. During 2000/2001, maps of proposed landfill sites in each of Egypt's 26 governorates were produced, and are being reviewed by the respective governorates. The final selection of the appropriate sites is planned to be accomplished in the first half of 2002. Once the exact locations of these landfills have been decided within the proposed areas, in depth studies of soil and groundwater conditions and EIA studies will be carried out. Furthermore, a demonstration project for the rehabilitation of an existing dumpsite is planned for implementation.

Also on the governorate and local levels, and within the framework of the solid waste strategies for the Governorates of Sohag and Dakahliya, developed with assistance from the Support for Environmental Assessment and management initiative of the United Kingdom Department for International Cooperation, and being implemented in 2000/2001, a number demonstration projects are carried out. In Sohag, these projects entail the support of the privatization of the municipal solid waste services in Sohag City and Girga Markaz, as well as the development of segregation and safe disposal schemes for healthcare waste in Sohag City and Markaz. For 2001/2002 planned activities include the replication of support for the development of solid waste strategies and the implementation of demonstration projects in the Governorates of Qena and Damietta.

As for capacity building, several training courses and workshops on waste management were conducted during 2000/2001. These include three workshops on the incorporation of private sector contribution to solid waste management activities in Egypt, organized in collaboration with the United States based Institute for Public-Private Partnership (IP3), as well as one week training workshops for governorate and municipality staff members concerning the various aspects of landfilling as a final disposal option, within the context of the Egyptian Environmental Policy Program. Plans for 2001/2002, include conducting similar workshops in other governorates.

During its first phase, 2001-2003, the program aims to accomplish the following:

Activities in 2000/2001:

Industrial solid waste constitutes an important contribution to the overall waste volumes in industrial zones. The implementation of a project aiming at the integrated management of industrial solid waste in 6th of October City is planned to start during the summer 2001, with support from the Life Program of the European Union. The project will focus on the active involvement of industrial waste generators in the reduction of waste volumes at source, and will also encourage private sector participation in solid waste management services, particularly collection and recycling. The project will be implemented in close collaboration with the Businessmen Association of 6th of October City and in coordination with the "Environmentally Friendly Industrial Cities Program".