AASTMT has implemented a comprehensive policy to align its practices with Egyptian environmental laws, specifically targeting the reduction of non-biodegradable plastic products on campus. Acknowledging the environmental challenges posed by plastic waste, the policy promotes the adoption of sustainable, eco-friendly alternatives to minimize reliance on plastics, thereby reducing the university's environmental footprint and contributing to national efforts to combat plastic pollution. Beyond legal compliance, this initiative reflects AASTMT’s broader commitment to environmental sustainability and fostering a culture of responsibility within its community. By educating students, faculty, and staff about the harmful impacts of plastic waste and encouraging sustainable habits, AASTMT aspires to inspire collective action toward environmental conservation. This proactive approach reinforces the university's leadership in sustainability, demonstrating how academic institutions can drive meaningful change and contribute to a greener, more sustainable future. The following section is indicating the Consumption and Recycling Policy, and as indicated in point number 6, many actions have been taken to reduce the amount of plastics used and to find another environmentally friendly materials instated
The huge pressure on environmental resources, increasing greenhouse gases, unprecedented rates of CO2 emissions, rising sea levels, pollution, overpopulation, resource waste, and land degradation affect the current and future generations. They face surmountable challenges due to climate change, resource scarcity, waste management, and insufficient recycling practices. Recycling is a cornerstone of addressing these issues, as it reduces resource waste, alleviates pollution, and contributes to managing land degradation. AASTMT has established policies to achieve sustainable development goals, helping uphold the University's Environmental Change and Social Duty Policy and keep the surrounding society and the community in good health and safe.
The policy places strong emphasis on recycling to lessen negative natural effects emerging from our era of waste raising, looking to foresee, reuse, recycle, repurpose, and decrease waste from our activity. Recycling is further integrated into the Policy, which likewise plans to guarantee that AASTMT oversees waste and recycling issues as per the counteraction of contamination and consistent with natural enactment. Recycling serves as a key strategy in fulfilling these commitments and creating a sustainable environment for all.
It is the responsibility of all employees, students, and contractors working to handle, deal with, and store all kinds of waste, including hazardous materials and other types of waste, with a strong emphasis on recycling. Recycling should be a priority at every level of waste management, ensuring that materials are sorted, processed, and reused whenever possible. In addition, assign the person who is responsible for these materials to oversee their recycling and disposal in the most suitable and environmentally friendly way. Recycling hazardous materials and other types of waste not only minimizes environmental harm but also aligns with sustainable waste management practices. Recycling initiatives should be integrated into all handling and disposal processes to support the university’s environmental goals.
The AASTMT policy considers end-of-life disposal costs and environmental impacts when making acquisition decisions involving the construction of new or renovated facilities.
AASTMT receives the 'waste order' of Prevention, reuse, reusing, and other recuperation and removal. AASTMT executes cycles, methods, and activities that guarantee consistency with ecological enactment and best practice, to lessen the general waste produced and forestall waste creation at every possible opportunity. Moreover, AASTMT is committed to measuring and weighing the amount of waste generated to track the waste and to find the best methods to reduce or recycle it.
The Waste Treatment Progressive System and Stages Incorporates:
Prevention
RE-USE
Recycle
Disposal
Ethical Sourcing of Food and Supplies
AASTMT is seeking to reduce food waste as much as we can through using food preservation methods and vermicomposting practices. The university is committed to delivering healthy food for all parties in the university including food on Campus, Residences, and employees whether vegetarian or others. AASTMT makes sure that the food is available at each level to guarantee healthy food for ASTMT’s stakeholders. However, food waste is still a problem for AASTMT. Therefore, AASTMT is applying the following procedures to use the waste of food in an appropriate way:
The AASTMT seeks to implement ethical and sustainable practices on all of its campuses. Therefore, the AASTMT has taken crucial measures to implement these practices, such as ecological practices and corporate social responsibility. Through the exchange of information within the Academy's supply chain, these food ethics and practices enable AASTMT to ensure the transparency of information about all suppliers.
To accomplish supply chain transparency, one of the primary goals of AASTMT is to identify the most reliable and reputable partners who share the same ethical practices, objectives, and data. To accomplish ethical and sustainable practices, the first step is to identify the most suitable suppliers.
The interaction with suppliers is the second step to keep secure relationships between partners and to reduce the risk. AASTMT is seeking to build a platform and application to increase communication and share important information. That would give the suppliers and partners access to the internal systems they need based on their roles within the ecosystem, sustainability practices, and the food ethics of AASTMT.
Through utilizing new technologies such as block chain technology, AASTMT plays a crucial role in facilitating the monitoring and tracing of the origin of food. It allows the AASTMT to trace the origin of food and ensure its safe delivery to campuses.
AASTMT is monitoring the overall processes between its partners to guarantee healthy and sustainable food for students, staff, and Residents. Based on this monitoring, errors must be fixed, and corrective action must be taken.
AASTMT guarantees that we are conforming to guidelines, enactment, and best practices to limit the danger of prompt and future contamination or mischief to wellbeing when completing operational exercises.
Waste ought to be forestalled or limited at every possible opportunity. AASTMT empowers staff, Students, and employers to limit plastic and cartoon waste, in addition to increasing the awareness about the method to minimize disposable items.
Document control | |
Policy title: | Consumption and Recycling Policy |
Date created: | May 2019 |
Approving body: | SDG workforce committee |
Version: | 4 |
Last review date | 2024 |
Next review date: | 2025 |
Policy owner: |
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Lead contact: |
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Approval Signature | Dean of Scientific Research and Innovation |
You can read our Consumption and Recycling Policy statement on AASTMT website.
More activities are applied and practiced in the AASTMT.
The "TouMaLi" project, funded by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU), aims to address the critical issue of marine pollution in North Africa, where plastic constitutes approximately 85% of floating marine litter and up to 95% of surface litter. Much of this waste originates from the tourism sector, a key contributor to local economies but also a significant source of marine waste. The Arab Academy for Science, Technology, and Maritime Transport is among the project's key partners, working to promote circular economy solutions in Morocco, Tunisia, and Egypt. Led by the University of Rostock with support from a consortium of academic, business, and policy stakeholders, TouMaLi focuses on reducing marine litter through measures like baseline litter assessments, strategic waste management development, and awareness campaigns. These efforts aim to establish lasting impacts by 2025, empowering local communities and tourism facilities to adopt sustainable practices and minimize waste inflow into the Mediterranean Sea.
1st International TouMaLi conference: Contribution of sound waste management systems to sustainable tourism and the protection of marine ecosystems
The Arab Academy for Science, Technology, and Maritime Transport held a conference on October 24-25, 2022, in Alexandria, Egypt, focusing on effective waste management systems and their significant contributions to sustainable tourism and marine ecosystem protection. This event gathered national and international experts to discuss the vital link between sound waste management and environmental conservation, particularly in regions heavily reliant on tourism. Through sharing the best practices and innovative solutions, the conference aimed to foster collaboration across various sectors, emphasizing the importance of sustainable practices in protecting marine resources and enhancing the resilience of the tourism industry.
The conference welcomed Dr. Yasmine Fouad, Egypt’s Minister of Environment, who emphasized TouMaLi’s importance in combating marine waste pollution—especially plastics—through cross-border cooperation. AASTMT’s role as a pivotal partner in the project, alongside other collaborators such as Rostock University and environmental organizations across the Mediterranean, showcased its commitment SDG 12, which promotes responsible consumption and production. Through this event, AASTMT underscored its dedication to fostering eco-friendly practices in tourism and beyond, highlighting innovative solutions for reducing marine waste and its impact on climate.
AASTMT Partners with Nahdet Misr in Pioneering Plastic Waste Collection Initiative for Alexandria’s Marine Conservation
The Ordinary General Assembly of Nahdet Misr for Modern Environmental Services, led by Chairman Hossam El-Din Imam, approved the 2022 financial statements and reported a revenue of EGP 886 million. The company increased its workforce to 7,200 employees, raising wages to EGP 295.4 million. Imam expressed gratitude to employees, auditors, and board members, and particularly thanked Ahmed El-Assar, Chairman of Arab Contractors, for ongoing support.
Improvements over the past year, including new equipment and vehicles, helped Alexandria become Egypt's cleanest governorate, leading to a 5-year contract with Alexandria Governorate for waste management and street cleaning services. Nahdet Misr also signed protocols with Titan Company for alternative fuel supply and with the Arab Academy for Science, Technology, and Maritime Transport (AASTMT) to establish a company focused on collecting plastic waste from Alexandria’s coastal areas. Imam emphasized the company's commitment to Egypt Vision 2030 and sustainable development goals, expanding services to new governorates and enhancing quality.
The AASTMT’s Role in Celebrating World Environment Day and Finding Solutions to Plastic Pollution
Under the support of the Prime Minister and as part of the celebrations for World Environment Day 2023, the Arab Academy for Science, Technology, and Maritime Transport (AASTMT) played a significant role in the event held at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina. The Minister of Environment, Dr. Yasmin Fouad, highlighted AASTMT's collaboration in launching the first competition for the cleanest beach in Alexandria, which emphasizes the importance of engaging youth in environmental initiatives. This effort aligns with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12, focusing on responsible consumption and production. By promoting sustainable waste management practices and reducing plastic pollution, AASTMT contributes to ensuring sustainable practices within local communities.
The event centered around the theme "Finding Solutions to Plastic Pollution," showcasing various projects aimed at reducing plastic waste and promoting sustainability. AASTMT's participation underscores its commitment to fostering environmental stewardship and educating future generations about the importance of protecting marine ecosystems. By integrating sustainability into educational practices, the Arab Academy actively supports SDG 12, helping to cultivate a culture of responsible consumption among students and the broader community.
The AASTMT’s Role in Celebrating World Environment Day and Finding Solutions to Plastic Pollution
The AASTMT’s Role in Celebrating World Environment Day and Finding Solutions to Plastic Pollution
Workshop organized by AASTMT Students for Using Plastic Waste for Various Plastic Arts
The Arab Academy for Science, Technology, and Maritime Transport (AASTMT) recently organized a workshop focused on transforming plastic waste into plastic art. This initiative highlights the significant role of plastic arts as a sensory means of understanding the environment, which complements scientific methods. Through hands-on drawing lessons and handicrafts, students gain skills in precision, organization, and systematic thinking, while learning to apply these skills in various fields. The workshop, led by specialized trainers, is part of AASTMT’s broader cultural and social activities that aim to instill aesthetic values and foster appreciation for art among students. By the end of each semester, the students' artworks are exhibited, allowing them to showcase their creativity and contribution to sustainability.
Workshop organized by AASTMT Students for Using Plastic Waste for Various Plastic Arts
Workshop organized by AASTMT Students for Using Plastic Waste for Various Plastic Arts
Tilestic: Pioneering Sustainable Plastic Recycling for a Greener Egypt
The Entrepreneur Center at the Arab Academy for Science, Technology, and Maritime Transport (AASTMT) proudly supported the founding of Tilestic, now recognized as one of the leading companies in the Middle East and Africa in plastic waste recycling. Known for its innovative and creative approach, Tilestic excels in transforming plastic waste into high-quality raw materials for safe plastic product manufacturing. The company continuously develops pioneering products that maximize the economic value of recycled plastics while contributing to environmental preservation. This commitment to innovation has earned Tilestic numerous awards and honors across various platforms, reflecting both its impact and AASTMT’s role in fostering sustainable entrepreneurship.
Tilestic: Pioneering Sustainable Plastic Recycling for a Greener Egypt
Tilestic: Pioneering Sustainable Plastic Recycling for a Greener Egypt
AASTMT is implementing a policy to establish a set of guidelines that will ensure the university follows the Egyptian environmental law by reducing the use of non-biodegradable plastic products on campus. This policy is aimed at promoting environmental sustainability and setting an example for the community.
Read our Consumption and Recycling Policy on AASTMT webpage
Within the framework of the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport’s keenness to apply concepts of sustainability and based on the Academy’s strategic plan to conduct campaigns to raise public awareness of environmental protection and Egypt’s readiness to organize the “COP 27” climate summit.
The Department of Community Service and Environmental Affairs - the Institute of Productivity and Quality - organized a campaign to raise awareness among the people of the Nubaria region about the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by holding awareness workshops and participating in the presidential initiative “100 million Trees” in one of the farms. Engineer Rania Rajeh gave a workshop on The United Nations #sustainable development goals and the impact of animal production in achieving them, and a discussion of replacing plastic in packaging with environmentally friendly materials.
The attendees toured the farm and participated in planting seedlings as a contribution from the Academy under the slogan of the Presidential Initiative 100 Million Trees.
Campaigns to raise public awareness of environmental protection and Egypt’s readiness to organize the “COP 27” climate summit. on Social media
Prof. Dr. Alaa Abdel Bari, Vice President of the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport, announced that the Academy’s President decided to launch the “Academy Free of Plastic Bags” initiative by the new academic year, indicating the Academy’s interest in adapting to climate change by rationalizing the use of energy and water and relying on renewable energy.
Without plastic bags." Environmental Initiative to Educate Arab Academy for Science Students on El Watan newspaper page
Because children have the power to change our future, the AASTMT decided that we must start raising awareness among them. The AASTMT started an initiative to spread awareness among children on the hazards of plastic.
Awareness among children on the hazards of plastic 1 on Social media
Awareness among children on the hazards of plastic 2 on Social media
From the headquarters of the Academy at the Smart Village, AASTIANS Go Green is an initiative that started in 2020 till present which exhibited a series of awareness and activities events with AASTMT and the community. This initiative is part of the Academy's social responsibility and in line with the cooperation agreement signed with His Excellency Major General Mahmoud Shaarawy, the Minister of Local Development, and His Excellency Professor Dr. Ismail Abdel Ghaffar Ismail, the President of the Arab Academy for Science, Technology, and Maritime Transport, regarding the planning and implementation of the "Always Green Academy" campaign.
The Arab Academy for Science, Technology, and Maritime Transport launched the "Arab Youth Green Venture" project at the Smart Village on Tuesday, March 15, 2022. The project was held under the patronage of Professor Dr. Ismail Abdel Ghaffar Ismail Farag, the President of the Academy, and in the presence of Dr. Sherin Fikry, the Assistant Minister of Environment for Environmental Policies, representing Dr. Yasmine Fouad, the Egyptian Minister of Environment. This initiative was part of Egypt's hosting of the COP 27 Global Climate Conference in Sharm El-Sheikh.
The day included various activities, such as the opening of an exhibition showcasing environmental protection projects and activities by distinguished students and graduates of the Academy, which were discussed with the Assistant Minister of Environment and the Academy's President. Additionally, a sports marathon was launched with the slogan "AASTIANS Go Green," involving the participation of officials, employees, and students, creating an enthusiastic atmosphere. This marathon was organized by the Student Affairs Deanship in the Smart Village, as part of its ongoing support for students in educational, health, and recreational aspects.
This day was organized within the framework of the Arab Academy for Science, Technology, and Maritime Transport's participation in the environmental initiative "Prepare for Green," launched by the Ministry of Environment under the patronage of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, as part of the National Sustainable Development Strategy "Egypt 2030."
The launch of the Green Project for Arab Youth at the Arab Academy in Smart Village on Dostor news page
The launch of the Green Project for Arab Youth at the Arab Academy in Smart Village on al Masry Al Youm news page
AASTMT is obligated to reduce overall pollution in the environment and to participate in reducing overall emissions and waste. AASTMT is initiated a recycling project. This project is to build and implement a sustainable self-sufficient recycling system to turn AASTMT campus food organic wastes and recyclables into valuable products that have economical values, which can be used to reduce the campus's running expenses. The system targets only three types of campus waste: organic food remains, plastic tableware, and aluminum cans.
Video explaining the Recycling Project on AASTMT webpage
