Egyptian family cleans up part of the Nile - in pictures

Three generations are part of initiative to collect and recycle plastic waste from famous river

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  Fisherman Mohamed Nasar, 59, uses his boat to collect plastic garbage from the Nile river for The VeryNile NGO, three generations of Nassar's family are taking part in the environment friendly initiative in Giza, Egypt, October 19, 2022. REUTERS / Mohamed Abd El Ghany

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  He sells the waste he collects to the VeryNile initiative for 14 Egyptian pounds ($0.71) per kilo.

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  Mr Nassar, his niece Hayam Mohamed, left, and her son, Yahya, centre, all work with the initiative to protect the environment and make a living.

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  While Mr Nassar cleans the Nile, his niece irons discarded plastic bags for recycling and her son, 22, rows the boat and helps process the plastic bottles.

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  Weekends are Mr Nassar’s best days for collecting plastic, when people from large boats and weddings throw huge amounts of waste into the river.

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  The family collects 70kg of bottles per day on the weekend and 20kg on weekdays.

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  Over the past four years, VeryNile has collected nearly 180 tonnes of waste and employed nearly 65 fishermen.

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  The recycling initiative was launched in 2020 to support unemployed women on the Nile's Qursaya island.

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