The Association for the Protection of the Environment (A.P.E.) is a not-for-profit organization that works with the informal garbage collectors of Cairo, known as the Zabaleen in Arabic.
The aim of A.P.E. is to help this traditionally marginalized group find innovative ways to improve their circumstances and support the environment. Their focus is on developing environmentally sound waste management and recycling techniques, which help to build the human capacity of the Zabaleen communities, to "recycle, upcycle and re-use".
Their 25 years of experience working with the Zabaleen is proof that environmental, social and economic development can go hand in hand.
Through the many programs of A.P.E., women especially, have become empowered to build better lives for themselves. Their income generating programs have helped generations of women improve their circumstances.
Zabaleen reuse paper obtained from companies to create recycled paper greeting cards, gift bags and other beautiful paper products. Paper for some of those recycled paper products is combined with flower petals, shredded jeans, or cotton to generate unique patterns & textures.
Another special item reused by Zabaleen is men ties. Those ties are used to create colourful cushion covers and pouffes.
Textile obtained from textile companies is converted into pieces of art and patchwork creating beautiful bedspreads, cushion covers, children toys, and much more.
We currently sell cushion covers, and other products created by A.P.E.
View the story of these women artisans here:
 |
 |