Rubbish collection and recycling might be a given in many countries, however in Egypt and particularly in Hurghada, things are not that easy. The city had to grow very fast in order to accommodate the increasing number of residents and waste management was slow to follow. The situation spiralled out of control with tons of rubbish accumulating in the streets and blowing into the sea and desert.
Leading local environmentalists HEPCA, have recently stepped up and secured a contract for waste management in the Hadaba area of Hurghada, from the Governor of the Red Sea, General Magdy Kobeissi. Since being appointed, HEPCA have launched the "Hadaba Cleanup" project as part of their "HAYAH" campaign.
This project is very close to our hearts at blue o two, as most of our staff live in Hadaba and the Egypt office is also located here. We are delighted that HEPCA are taking action to make this cultural and bustling area of Hurghada a cleaner, safer place to be.
As a visitor to the Red Sea, there are many little things you can do to help us keep it clean and healthy:
- Use cameras, torches and any electrical equipment that can be re-charged to avoid consuming batteries.
- If you use batteries, please take them home with you as our recycling management cannot currently cope with them.
- Try to be careful with your water consumption while showering & think about re-using your towel instead of changing it every day - remember the Red Sea is an arid climate.
- Switch off the air conditioning units in your cabins whenever they are not needed.
- Do not buy sea shells as souvenirs - everything that comes from the sea should stay in the sea.
- Onboard, do not throw toilet paper in the toilet - it will end up in the sea and could block the plumbing.
- Do not throw any rubbish in the sea.
- Travelling by plane is polluting - think about offsetting your carbon emissions - http://www.jpmorganclimatecare.com
- Try to organise a car pool to make your way to the airport or alternatively use public transports.
- Choose an environmentally-minded and locally involved operator.
- Before leaving home, remember to turn your heating off or down to lowest setting, unplug all electrical appliances and suspend your newspaper delivery.
- Print only the necessary travel documentation to avoid paper waste.
- Carry a plastic water bottle, but refill it instead of buying a new one each time.
- When you go shopping, take your backpack with you to avoid plastic bags - the Red Sea plastic bag ban is only on groceries and not other industries.
- Collect rubbish during a dive - even one piece per day will make a difference.
Read more about our 'HAYAH Reef clean-up' weeks >>>