Environmental and economic assessment of waste generated from the Heliopolis District .

This research investigates the environmental and economic benefits of utilizing waste generated in the Heliopolis neighborhood of Cairo. It focuses on the economic evaluation of waste recycling projects, particularly those processing organic waste. The study aims to determine the economic return and environmental impact of such initiatives.To achieve this objective, the research employs a combination of descriptive and quantitative analysis methods. It utilizes published and unpublished secondary data from the Environmental Affairs Agency, its affiliated departments in Cairo Governorate, the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics, and relevant foreign research and periodicals. Additionally, a field study was conducted at a fertilizer and refuse-derived fuel (RDF) production plant.The findings reveal a significant rise in construction and green waste generation within Heliopolis. The field study at the fertilizer production plant in Al Salam City, operated by the Egyptian Company for Integrated Waste Management (AECOM), further demonstrates the plant's capability of processing municipal waste, sorting recyclables (plastic, metals, paper, cardboard), and extracting organic waste (food scraps, market waste, and garden trimmings) for compost production. The remaining waste is processed into RDF, a fuel source with calorific value.The study highlights the comparative and environmental advantages of waste recycling projects, particularly the compost industry. The research indicates a promising daily monetary return from organic fertilizer production using Heliopolis waste. The findings also demonstrate the economic efficiency and feasibility of such projects