On the 29th of April 2015, the GMI Project held in Alexandria (Egypt) an international capitalization conference entitled “Fostering Recycling in the Mediterranean”.

The event was organized by the Confederation of Egyptian European Business Associations (CEEBA) at the Chamber of Commerce of Alexandria, in coordination with ASCAME.

The event was inaugurated by Mr Ahmed El Wakil, Chairman of the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce and President of ASCAME’s Environment Commission; Dr Alaa Ezz, Secretary-General of CEEBA and FEDCOC; Mr Diego Escalona Paturel, Head of Operations of the Delegation of the European Union to Egypt, and H.E. Soad El-Kholy, Vice-Governor of Alexandria.

Following the inauguration, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote recycling was signed between the Governorate of Alexandria, the Chamber of Commerce of Alexandria (Associate partner of GMI), CEEBA & AEEC (GMI partners), and the EU delegation to Egypt specifying the objectives of the projects and the means of cooperation and involvement of each of the parties.

The discussions focused on the importance of recycling, and on waste as an important resource, while highlighting the importance of transmitting this culture to future generations – a core objective of the GMI project. which will witness a number of Reverse Vending Machines piloted in schools and universities in 5 Mediterranean countries: Egypt; Italy; Lebanon; Spain and Tunisia.

Ms Diana Kobayter, Project Manager at the Chamber of Commerce of Beirut and Mount Lebanon – lead partner of GMI – presented the project pilots which ASCAME, the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce and FUNDITEC have begun implementing in Catalan universities in Barcelona, as well as the upcoming pilots in the participating countries.

Dr Alaa Ezz then discussed how the pilot project will be implemented in Egypt. Directors and representatives from schools and universities from the Alexandria Governate who will be involved in the initiative were also present to share their enthusiasm for the upcoming scheme. The floor was then open to a rich and interesting debate amongst all the participants on the importance of a proper waste management system in the region and on the challenges encountered in the Mediterranean region.

The event was closed with a presentation by Ms Reem Hatem of the “Out to Sea” project which focuses on raising awareness on the importance of recycling plastic waste.

The GMI project is implemented under the ENPI CBC Mediterranean Sea Basin Programme (www.enpicbcmed.eu).  The main objective of the GMI project is to develop an integrated and environmentally sound waste management system, ensuring treatment and recycling, through the exploitation of innovative technologies and sustainable methods for waste treatment and recycling with the support of an awareness campaign and communication program.