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With an estimated 8,000 inhabitants (see Nazer, 2006), the agricultural island of Geziret El Dahab as one of the protected Nile Islands is a green haven in the middle of the megapolis Cairo. Currently, there is no solid waste management system in place. While organic waste is mostly fed to the animals, an-organic waste is either thrown in the Nile, on its shores, or burnt. Apart from a missing sewage system, this poses the most pressing problem for the island’s ecology. 

The action-based research outlined includes 

• A household survey to understand the willingness and preferences of the inhabitants 

• Potential models of solid waste management on and off the island 

• A test-run of waste collection in cooperation with Ihlam, a student’s environmental group, the islanders and the Zabaleen of Manshet Nasr 

• A SWOT analysis of four customized SWM models for the island 

The action-based research evaluates the spatial, legal and socio-economic parameters for the installation of a solid waste management system on the island and is part of the Nile islands Initiative (Nil).