Environment Minister Yasmine Fouad said that the Egyptian government will announce new increases in waste collection fees, adding that the new prices range from EGP 4 to EGP 28, according to the areas’ social categories.
Fouad mentioned on the side-lines of 2018 African Caucus annual meetings on Sunday that the government aims to enhance the quality of cleaning services, adding that Egypt is among the countries expending the least amount on cleaning, with less than $3 annually, compared to an average of $7 in countries like Morocco and Tunisia.
Fouad explained that issuing the new prices requires adjustments to the regulatory framework, adding that her ministry is collaborating with the Ministry of Justice to make the needed modifications to the legislation.
“Citizens pay for electricity, water, and other services. However, they do not fully pay for collecting the waste, and the government pays for that service. We aim at changing the whole system to ensure having the best quality,” she added.
Fouad noted that her ministry is cooperating with the Ministry of Youth and some international institutions to encourage youth-run small enterprises that aim at recycling waste.
Moreover, Fouad said that her ministry is working on the bidding of two nature reserves’ operations during the coming four months, adding, “we plan for biddings of all 30 Egyptian nature reserves’ operations as a second stage.”
