Egypt's Ministry of Local Development and Environment announced on Sunday the start of a plan to close and rehabilitate the Obour landfill east of Cairo, transforming part of the site into a green park in response to residents' complaints about pollution. Waste intake at the landfill halted from April 1.
Egypt's Ministry of Local Development and Environment announced on Sunday, April 5, 2026, the implementation of a plan to close and rehabilitate the Obour landfill east of Cairo. The landfill's footprint will shrink from around 300 feddans to 130 feddans, with the remaining 170 feddans repurposed for green spaces and potential investment projects.
Waste intake stopped on April 1, and safe closure procedures are now underway according to environmental standards to reduce emissions, odours, and uncontrolled burning.
Minister Manal Awad stated that addressing residents' concerns over emissions and odours is a top priority, emphasizing the need to accelerate mitigation efforts to limit environmental and health impacts.
The project includes systems to manage landfill gas and leachate, along with engineered closure in cooperation with a specialised company.
This initiative builds on similar efforts, such as the rehabilitation of the Salam landfill, and aims to position the Obour project as a model for sustainable environmental development in Egypt.
