Starting with a small team of just two employees, Bekia has significantly evolved into a strong workforce of 25 people. The company aims to educate citizens on the environmental importance and promote waste separation for easier and less environmentally harmful recycling.

Operating out of Cairo, Bekia quickly established itself as a significant emerging player in Egypt's waste management sector. Unlike traditional waste collection services, Bekia integrates technology and community partnership in its operations, offering a unique value proposition not just as a service to its clients but as a partnership. This approach has cultivated their success and trust among thousands of households across the region.

What Materials are Collected?

Bekia's service model is simple yet innovative. It collects recyclable materials such as plastic, paper, cardboard, metals, and used cooking oils, even electronic devices from consumers, who in turn receive a financial return. However, this is not done through traditional payments but via a points system on their platform, reflecting the current market values. Users can withdraw money through various digital wallets like CIB Smart Wallet and Vodafone Cash.

However, Bekia does not collect certain items, including organic waste, wood, glass, and clothes due to the insufficient recycling processes available for these materials. Instead of leaving the community to deal with these items alone, the company offers advice on safely and creatively reusing materials like glass at home.

Egypt Leads the Arab World in Recycling Efforts

According to a recent Egyptian government report on the Global Environmental Performance Index of 180 countries, Egypt ranks at the forefront of Arab countries in waste recycling. The report indicated that food waste constitutes the largest waste category, accounting for about 40% of produced food. In 2023, Egypt ranked 14th worldwide in recycling rates, recycling 80% of its plastic waste, with Cairo alone producing nearly 290,000 tons of plastic annually.

The report also stated that food waste contributes to approximately 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, while dry recyclable materials like plastic, paper, cardboard, and metals account for 38% of the total global waste. Annually, the world produces about 400 million tons of plastic waste, with 75 to 199 million tons dumped into the oceans.

Glass Recycling Saves Energy

Recycling a single glass container can save...

- Approximately 50% of the energy needed to manufacture glass from raw materials.

- The saved energy can power a one-watt light bulb for four hours.

- It can reduce air pollution by 20% and water pollution by 50%.

(According to the Information and Decision Support Center of the Egyptian Cabinet)

A Community Message for Environmental Education

Despite its commercial activities, Bekia focuses on environmental education and community engagement, offering its services for free to instill a culture of recycling and environmental awareness among Egyptian citizens. Through this, the company not only helps reduce waste but also educates the public on the importance of environmental stewardship.

Collaboration is another cornerstone of Bekia's operation, working closely with licensed recycling companies and factories, creating a sustainable ecosystem that benefits all stakeholders involved. This network ensures not only the proper recycling of collected waste but also supports the recycling industry in Egypt, which is still growing.

Bekia's journey from a modest startup to a leading player in Egypt's environmental efforts is a testament to the power of innovative thinking in traditional industries like waste management. As the company progresses, its challenge is to scale its operations while maintaining the service quality and community trust it has built.