Recycling workers manufacture plastic in the Manchiyet Nasser area of Mokattem, in Cairo. Leaders of the Zabbaleen community in Mokattem say 5,000 tonnes of waste are collected every day. They estimate that up to 85 per cent of the rubbish collected is recycled. All photos: EPA
Cans collected to be recycled. The Manchiyet Nasser neighbourhood has nearly 5,000 workshops recycling plastic, aluminium and cardboard. The organic waste is used to feed the pigs and other animals owned by the families of the area.
Workers moving plastic to be recycled. About 10 per cent of the rubbish cannot be recycled and is collected by the Association of Garbage Collectors for Community Development.
Waste cardboard for recycling.
Workers pour aluminium prepared from recycled material at a workshop in Mokattem.
A woman in Mokattem passes bags of waste being collected for recycling.
Workers sort aluminum items for recycling in Cairo, Egypt.
A worker at the recycling facility takes a breather.
Waste cardboard for recycling.
A man collecting waste to be recycled in Cairo.
Rubbish collectors in Cairo.
Crushed cans being stacked ready to recycle in Mokattem, Cairo.
The Egyptian neighbourhood recycling vast amounts of rubbish - in pictures
