Egypt to recycle waste using blockchain application

Egypt to recycle waste using blockchain application

Egyptian based GIZ Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GIZ which works in Egypt on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). to support the Egyptian Government’s Sustainable Development Strategy (SDS) has partnered with SIG, a leading packaging solutions provider and Egyptian based Plastic Bank on a blockchain enabled project for recycling waste.

Egypt generates more than 95 million tons of waste annually and currently only 60% of this waste is collected, with less than 20% of that being properly disposed of or recycled.

The partnership between SIG, GIZ Egypt, and the social enterprise Egyptian Plastic Bank aims to address this pressing issue and achieve positive change.

In a three-year initiative, the partners are on a mission to collect 700 metric tons of beverage cartons, while also aiming to improve the livelihood for around 1,000 local waste collection members via blockchain.

The PlasticBank app, backed by the social enterprise’s proprietary blockchain-secured platform, provides traceability and transparency in waste collection, empowering waste collectors to convert every piece of discarded material into a source of revenue.

Waste collection members will be able to log each collected product via the app to earn incentives deposited directly into their digital wallets and gain access to social benefits, including health, work and life insurance, digital connectivity, grocery vouchers, school supplies, and more. Furthermore, the waste collection members will undergo training and receive personal safety equipment for their well-being at work.

By streamlining and tracking the collection and recycling of waste, including used beverage cartons, this project also takes a broader role for laying the groundwork for an extended producer responsibility (EPR) model in Egypt. It aligns closely with the Egypt Waste Management Regulatory Authority to weave recycling into the legislative framework and underscores the important role of packaging manufacturers in environmental stewardship.

Abdelghany Eladib, President & General Manager India, Middle East and Africa at SIG stated, “Our new partnership goes one step further in accelerating our progress towards a circular economy. Extending social waste collection and recycling programs like this one in Egypt will help to achieve our goals and is a blueprint for future programs. By establishing a recycling system for beverage cartons in the Greater Cairo area and beyond, SIG is focused on reducing the environmental impact und creating a market for recycled paper.”

This project is supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) funding program “develoPPP” and its special initiative “Decent Work for a Just Transition”.

Swiss based Dfinity Foundation launches ICP Hub GCC and supports UAE recycling project

Swiss based Dfinity Foundation launches ICP Hub GCC and supports UAE recycling project

Dfinity Foundation a major contributor to the Internet Computer Platform (ICP) blockchain and a Swiss-based not-for-profit organization with the largest R&D team in blockchain is making waves in the MENA and Asian region with partnerships such as with Roland Berger on UAE launched Voluntary recycling credits, as well as a $20 million grant to Asian startups and grants to MENA based startups such as ChainSight, an inter-chain data processing network to be able to use on-chain data with smart contracts.

The Internet Computer is a general-purpose, layer one blockchain that acts as a Cloud 3.0. The network has been operating for over two years, and has grown its daily transactions size to over 750 million, a 425% increase from its first year of operation. Notably, Dfinity Foundation asserts that its service has been provided with zero downtime.

Partnership with UAE Recycling Project

Most recently Roland Berger, a global strategic management consultancy firm with a strong presence in MENA selected Switzerland-based Dfinity Foundation as the technology partner for the development of the ‘Voluntary Recycling Credits’ standard announced by UAE’s BEEAH Group  with Roland Berger and the International Solid Waste Association.

As per their announcement the three companies aim to develop a new standard powered by the blockchain that can help beef up recycling numbers in the waste sector. As such businesses with sparse recycling infrastructure who are keen on aligning with Sustainable Development Goals can buy credits on the forthcoming marketplace. These credits are provided by companies with surplus recycling capabilities. Meanwhile, the flow of funds will free up more money to boost investment in further enhancement and emerging recycling technologies.

“We have a unique opportunity to redefine waste management and make tangible strides in environmental stewardship,” said Hani Tohme, managing partner at Roland Berger in the Middle East.

The Voluntary Recycling Credits standard is being built on blockchain technology. According to the initiators, blockchain is a “foundational element critical to the success” of the standard, guaranteeing a transparent, auditable, and secure record of recycling credits and transactions. “This transparency ensures that all parties – whether waste producers or recyclers – can trust in the veracity of the credits they purchase, sell, or trade.”

“Selecting the right blockchain technology that harmoniously balances decentralization, security, usability and storage space is key for a project of this importance. We are happy to have selected Dfinity Foundation as our technology partner. The Internet Computer is one of the most advanced blockchains in the world, its efficacy and security make it the perfect platform to build this project on,” said Pierre Samaties, partner at Roland Berger.

“We are honored to have been selected by the Roland Berger team to collaborate on the Voluntary Recycling Credit. This initiative aligns with the core values of our team at Dfinity and Internet Computer, as we always look to ensure the blockchain remains at the forefront of sustainability and work with leading enterprises,” said Dominic Williams, Founder of Dfinity Foundation.

Through the partnership, Dfinity Foundation will develop the underlying technology for standard. The first milestone will take place at COP28 in Dubai, when the private-public coalition behind the standard will display the first-ever live recycling credits transaction.

Launch of ICP Hub GCC

As part of Dfinity’s efforts to support the ICP blockchain platform, ICP Hub GCC has been launched to support the growth of the ICP ecosystem in the GCC ( Gulf Cooperation Council) region as well as the in MENA region.

Saed Ereiqat, Co-Founder of ICP Hub GCC tells LaraontheBlock, “The UAE is undoubtedly amongst the most advanced countries to deploy and develop on Web3 and Blockchain. It was therefore only a matter of time, that the ICP.Hub GCC launched in the UAE, where it is accelerating the mass adoption of the Internet Computer Protocol in the Gulf Region.”

As per Saed the ICP.HUB GCC has ambitious plans in the region as a community based project aiming to empower users and providing a robust platform for the development and hosting of secure software systems and open internet services.

ICP.HUB GCC is supported by Dubai based Crypto Oasis while partnering with UAE VC firm Cypher Capita. .Together with local Education Institutes, the hub aims to further raise awareness and provide education for young developers and entrepreneurs to learn about Blockchain and how to effectively apply it for future-ready developments. Investors are offered an opportunity to invest in the rapidly expanding Ecosystem and projects therein.

Through its grant program UAE based ChainSight an inter-chain data processing network to be able to use on-chain data with smart contracts.  ChainSight gains financial and technical support and with the connection to the hub, they are also provided with community support and communities to raise awareness for their development.