Egypt launches first meeting of national green label committee for plastics to boost recycling and exports
Table of Contents
Cairo – Egypt has convened the inaugural session of a committee charged with introducing a national green label for plastic products and packaging. The move is part of a broader push to advance sustainability and cultivate a circular economy across the economy.
The gathering was chaired by Yasser Abdallah, head of the Waste Management Regulatory Authority, and brought together representatives from the ministries of Industry and Surroundings, alongside Germany’s GIZ and a panel of technical experts. The initiative is backed by the National Solid Waste Management Program, which is co-funded by the German government and the European union.
Participants discussed the governance and coordination mechanisms needed to put the green label into practice in collaboration with key national bodies, including the Industrial Advancement Authority, the General Institution for Export and Import Control, and the Egyptian Organization for Standardization and Quality.
Manal Awad, Minister of Local Development and Acting Minister of Environment, described the move as a significant step toward encouraging recycling and adopting enduring production practices. She said manufacturers that redesign products to be fully or partially recyclable – without compromising specifications – will earn the green label, helping reduce the buildup of industrial waste.
Yasser Abdallah stressed that the certification scheme aims to lessen the environmental impact of plastic waste and will cover products that use recycled materials, are redesigned to facilitate recycling, or are fully biodegradable.
Nermine Abou El Atta, adviser to the Minister of Industry, noted that the plan aligns with Egypt’s preparations for the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), due to take effect in January 2026.She expressed hope that the green label will help manufacturers cut emissions, improve environmental compliance, and strengthen the competitiveness of Egyptian exports.
The ministry also announced that technical guidelines for the green label where released in November 2024,with a comprehensive packaging guide completed in November 2025. Implementation of the certification scheme will proceed on a phased timeline to ease compliance for manufacturers.
Key facts at a glance
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Roll out a national green label for plastic products and packaging to promote recycling and sustainable production |
| Lead agency | Waste management Regulatory Authority,with the Ministry of Environment |
| key collaborators | Ministries of Industry and Environment,Industrial development Authority,General Organization for Export and Import Control,Egyptian Organization for Standardization and Quality |
| Support and funding | National Solid Waste Management Programme; co-funded by Germany and the European Union |
| Product criteria | Labels for products using recycled materials,redesigned for recycling,or fully biodegradable |
| Timeline milestones | Technical guidelines released Nov 2024; packaging guide completed nov 2025; phased implementation begins subsequently |
| CBAM context | Aligned with Egypt’s CBAM preparations ahead of its 2026 start |
Why this matters in the long run
The green label initiative positions Egypt to meet evolving international standards and border measures while pushing domestic manufacturers toward more sustainable practices. By recognizing products that are easier to recycle or made with recycled content,the program could help reduce waste,improve compliance,and potentially boost the competitiveness of Egyptian exports in a climate-conscious market.
Consistency with CBAM signals a broader move toward green trade rules that reward lower-emission production. If successfully phased in, the scheme may serve as a model for other sectors seeking to align with global sustainability expectations while supporting local industry conversion.
Engagement and next steps
As the program rolls out, industry players and observers will watch how quickly manufacturers adapt their designs to meet the green label criteria and how the labels influence buyer decisions both domestically and abroad.
What impact do you think the green label will have on Egyptian exporters and local manufacturers?
Should similar labeling schemes be extended to other materials beyond plastics to accelerate the circular economy?
Share your thoughts in the comments and tell us which sectors you believe will benefit most from green labeling.
I’m ready to help
egypt’s National Green Label: A Game‑Changer for Enduring Plastic Products
Key objectives
- Provide a trusted environmental certification for plastic items meeting circular‑economy standards.
- Encourage manufacturers to adopt eco‑design,recyclability,and low‑carbon production processes.
- Align Egypt’s plastic‑waste management with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 12 & 14).
1. Certification Framework and Eligibility
| Requirement | Description | Measurable Target |
|---|---|---|
| Material composition | Use of recycled PET (rPET), bio‑based polymers, or single‑use‑free additives. | Minimum 30 % recycled content for monolithic items; 100 % bio‑based for biodegradable grades. |
| Design for recyclability | Product geometry must allow easy separation of components and single‑stream recycling. | No mixed‑material layers > 5 mm; clear labeling of material type. |
| Carbon footprint | Life‑cycle assessment (LCA) covering raw material extraction to end‑of‑life. | ≤ 2 kg CO₂e per kg of product (baseline set by 2024 Egyptian average). |
| Supply‑chain transparency | Documentation of source verification, traceability, and responsible sourcing. | Full traceability to certified recyclers or bio‑polymer producers. |
| Compliance with Egyptian waste‑management law | Alignment with Law No. 4/2023 on plastic reduction and recycling. | Certification only for products meeting legal recycling‑rate quotas. |
Certification process
- Pre‑audit – Self‑assessment using the Ministry of Surroundings’s online toolbox.
- Third‑party audit – Accredited auditors evaluate LCA reports, material tests, and supply‑chain docs.
- Label issuance – Triumphant applicants receive the National green Label badge and can display it on packaging and marketing materials.
- Annual surveillance – Continuous monitoring ensures ongoing compliance and enables label renewal.
2.How the green Label Fuels the Circular Economy
- Market differentiation – Retailers prioritize certified products, driving demand for recycled‑content plastics.
- Incentive structures – The Ministry offers tax reductions (up to 15 %) and grant eligibility for label‑holders.
- Closed‑loop supply chains – Certified manufacturers partner with local recycling facilities (e.g., Al‑Mansoura Plastics Recycling Centre), reducing import dependence on virgin polymers.
- Data-driven policy – Real‑time label‑registration data feeds the National Plastic Waste Dashboard, supporting evidence‑based regulation.
3. Benefits for Stakeholders
Manufacturers
- Access to premium retail channels (e.g., Carrefour Egypt, lulu Hypermarket).
- Cost savings through material substitution and waste reduction (average 8 % lower production cost reported by Egyptian Plastic Association, 2025).
- Enhanced brand reputation and compliance with EU Green Deal requirements for export markets.
Consumers
- Clear visual cue of environmentally responsible products.
- Greater confidence in recyclability and safety (no hazardous additives).
Government & NGOs
- Strengthened plastic‑waste tracking and circular‑economy metrics.
- Alignment with Egypt Vision 2030 targets for waste reduction (goal: 70 % of plastic waste recycled by 2030).
4. Practical Tips for Achieving the Green Label
- Conduct a baseline LCA – Use open‑source tools like OpenLCA to identify hotspots.
- Source recycled feedstock – Partner with certified recyclers such as EcoPlast Egypt or Suez Egypt.
- Redesign packaging – Opt for monomaterial structures (e.g., 100 % PE film) and eliminate needless laminates.
- Implement a take‑back scheme – Offer consumers a reverse‑logistics programme to collect post‑consumer plastic.
- Document traceability – Record batch numbers, supplier certificates, and recycling rates in an ERP system.
5. Real‑World case Studies
Case 1: El‑Gouna Water Bottles
- Switched from 100 % virgin PET to 35 % rPET in 2024.
- Achieved National Green Label certification in March 2025.
- Reported a 12 % reduction in carbon emissions and secured a new distribution contract with a leading supermarket chain.
Case 2: niletech Food Containers
- Introduced bio‑based PLA trays for ready‑to‑eat meals.
- Combined design for single‑stream recycling with clear product labeling.
- Received the label in September 2025, resulting in a 15 % price premium accepted by premium‑segment retailers.
Case 3: Cairo Recycling Partnership
- A consortium of five small‑scale plastic manufacturers formed a shared recycling loop.
- Jointly invested in a compact extrusion line capable of processing post‑consumer waste into high‑quality rPET.
- Collective label acquisition allowed the group to access government grants worth EGP 2 million.
6.Frequently asked Questions (FAQs)
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What types of plastics are eligible? | Primarily PET, HDPE, PP, and bio‑based PLA. multi‑layer films are allowed only if they meet the recyclability criteria. |
| How long does the certification process take? | Typically 8‑12 weeks from pre‑audit submission to label issuance, subject to audit scheduling. |
| Are there fees for the certification? | Yes – a one‑time submission fee (≈ EGP 5,000) plus annual surveillance fees (≈ EGP 2,000). Discounts are available for SMEs. |
| Can the label be used on marketing materials? | Absolutely. The label may appear on product packaging, website banners, and promotional literature. |
| What happens if a product fails compliance after certification? | The label is suspended pending corrective actions; repeat violations may lead to permanent revocation. |
7. Future Outlook
- Expansion to other sectors – Plans to extend the Green Label to textiles, construction materials, and automotive components by 2027.
- Digital verification – Introduction of a QR‑code system allowing consumers to scan and view real‑time sustainability data.
- Regional collaboration – Egypt is negotiating cross‑border certification reciprocity with the UAE Green Label Initiative to facilitate trade of certified products.
Sources: Ministry of Environment (Egypt), 2025 Annual Report; Egyptian Plastic Association, “Sustainable Plastics Survey 2025”; UN Environment Programme, “Circular Economy in MENA 2024”.
