Breaking the Waste Cycle: Port Said Is Closing the Chapter on Unlicensed Trash Trade
In Port Said, residents have a name for it: “Embratoriyyet Al-Nabbasheen”—the garbage trade empire. After years of frustration over cluttered sidewalks and the unpleasant smells of nearby sorting shops, their complaints are being heard.
The governor’s office has launched a campaign to shut down unlicensed operations, saying the issue is not just about appearance—it’s about health, safety, and urban dignity!
Governor Orders Immediate Closure of All Unlicensed Sorting Shops
Governor Moheb Habashy issued a directive calling for the immediate closure of all informal garbage sorting shops across the city. Days later, several facilities were shuttered in Port Fouad, followed by three more in El-Zohour.
Authorities also seized hand-pulled carts commonly used by street collectors. The effort was meant to make a statement: this system won’t be tolerated any longer.
Public Pressure on Social Media Drove Officials to Take Visible Action
Though the order came from the top, momentum built from the ground up. Port Said residents had been voicing their frustrations online for months. Photos of overflowing trash and makeshift sorting stations circulated widely, with many tagging officials directly.
Eventually, digital pressure turned into citywide action. Officials openly cited public complaints as a main trigger for the campaign—proof that social media continues to shape real-world decisions.
Health Concerns in New Residential Areas Prompted a Stronger Government Response
For officials, this isn’t just about cleaning up the streets. The decision is grounded in health concerns. Garbage piles left exposed near residential blocks attracted rodents and insects.
This raised alarms, especially in new housing developments. Authorities pointed to the risk of disease as a major factor, noting that protecting public health requires eliminating the source, not just treating the symptoms. That made shutting down sorting shops a necessary step.
El-Zohour District Becomes a Focal Point for Urban Clean-Up Campaign
El-Zohour has quickly become a focal point in the campaign. Known for its newly built housing units, the district has been undergoing a broader facelift. Local officials, backed by law enforcement, took swift action to close down shops and remove visible waste.
Their goal was to preserve the district’s new identity as an organized, welcoming space for families. For many, the changes signal a shift toward lasting improvements.
More Than Clean Streets—A Clean Image
At its core, this campaign is also about image. Port Said, with its coastal charm and rich history, is aiming to position itself as a model city. That vision includes well-kept streets, orderly neighborhoods, and a clean reputation.
Removing unauthorized waste operations is about shaping how residents and visitors alike experience the city. For Port Said, cleaning up the streets may just be the first step toward something bigger!
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