In Egypt, SIG is launching ‘Recycle for Good’, an innovative recycling initiative to enable direct household and food service industry collection of used aseptic carton packs through tech-based solutions. This initiative involving SIG and Tagaddod is the first of its kind in the Egyptian market.

Consumers can use a mobile app to arrange for their used cartons to be collected from their homes or workplace in exchange for rewards. The project aims to incentivize the recycling of used beverage cartons, ensuring high-value resources remain in circulation while benefitting local communities.

SIG is working with Tagaddod on this project and is leading the collection of cartons. Tagaddod is the first company in Egypt to enable direct household and food service industry waste collection through tech-based solutions. Its app allows consumers and businesses in the food service industry to arrange the collection of their used beverage cartons in exchange for rewards. The initiative uses Tagaddod’s existing logistics network, and the household brand Green Pan to collect the cartons.

Abdelghany Eladib, president and general manager - Middle East and Africa, SIG, said, “Changing behavior is critical to enable lasting positive change for the environment. ‘Recycle for Good’ aims to stimulate a change in people’s attitudes by demonstrating the value of recycling to individuals and communities. We are proud to partner with Tagaddod on this initiative. As the first initiative of its kind in Egypt, it represents a major milestone for the country in its drive towards enhanced contribution to a circular economy.”

Nour El Assal, chief executive officer and co-founder, Tagaddod added: “We are delighted to be partnering with SIG on the ‘Recycle for Good’ program, which is another breakthrough for Tagaddod in transforming its vision into actions, using our technology and resources. Tagaddod has the infrastructure, network, and vision to further mobilize and accelerate Egypt’s transition toward a circular economy. With this initiative, we will expand our reach to retract high-grade, high-value food-grade cartons and put them back in circulation, while creating reliable additional income for households and waste collectors. It is the long-term positive impact and value creation at their best.”

Recycling SIG carton packs keep high-quality renewable materials in circulation for longer. All the materials used to make aseptic carton packs – paperboard, aluminum, and polyethylene – can be recycled as valuable resources that can be used to create new products.

Only around 60% of the waste Egypt generates annually is collected currently, and less than 20% of this is properly disposed of or recycled. With no segregation of waste at the household level, there is a huge need for collection initiatives such as this one. 

SIG is committed to partnering with others to increase the collection and recycling of used beverage cartons, supporting the shift towards a circular economy. Recycling of packaging is an industrywide issue, and SIG partners on this with many different stakeholders, including industry peers, customers, consumers, and national and local governments. As recycling rates, regulations and infrastructure vary widely in different countries and municipalities, SIG takes a tailored approach through local roadmaps in priority countries.