Since August 2009, the Egyptian government has granted HEPCA sole responsibility for the management of waste collection and recycling in the southern Red Sea, an area roughly double the size of The Netherlands. Even in these first few months, the scheme has achieved some incredible results – proof that recycling really does make a difference and dramatically helps to reduce daily damage to the environment.

Our Material Recovery Facility (MRF) in Marsa Alam city is the hub of the HEPCA solid waste management strategy. Waste is collected and separated at source into organic and non-organic matter before being transported to the MRF. Here, the vast majority of the waste is non-organic and it is sorted, processed and traded through to recycling firms. We also manage and operate a controlled dumpsite for non-recyclables. Organic waste is given to the local community for animal feed.

Our latest figures show an outstanding success rate at the MRF in helping to reduce the Red Sea’s carbon footprint:

PAPER

Each month we recycle more than 8.5 tonnes of paper and cartons, saving:
- 145 trees
- 34 barrels of oil
- 25 cubic metres of landfill space
- 34,000kw hours of energy
- 59,500 gallons of water.

Simply put, the monthly HEPCA recycled paper total saves enough energy for heat, electricity and air-conditioning for the average Egyptian home for almost 30 months!

ALUMINIUM

Each month we recycle more than 41,500 cans, saving
- enough energy to run a television, or operate a computer for 14 years, or a computer centre with 20 computers for over one year.

GLASS

Each month we recycle at least 6000kg of glass, saving
- enough energy to power a computer for 296 days, a 100-watt light bulb for 5.93 years and saves the equivalent of 272 litres of oil.

PLASTIC

Each month we recycle almost 259,000 plastic bottles and parts saving
- enough energy to power a 60-watt light bulb for 89.9 years.

STEEL and TIN

Each month we recycle an average of 4.5 tonnes of steel and tin saving
- 24.9 tonnes of iron ore, 14 tonnes of coal, and 1.2 tonnes of limestone.

Greenhouse gas emissions result from the burning of municipality solid waste and are strongly influenced, in particular, by the plastic content of the input waste stream. Each month, the recycling and reuse of this waste by the HEPCA MRF saves around 65 tonnes of CO2 pollutants from entering the atmosphere of the Red Sea!

Our solid waste management strategy is not only concerned with saving the environment but also saving livelihoods. Many valuable employment opportunities have been created for the local community in waste collection, transportation and staffing at the MRF. Further employment and income is also generated through the selling on of recyclable material. We estimate an additional 70 jobs will be created annually in support of this program.

HEPCA would like to thank everyone who has been involved in the solid waste management strategy and in particular the MRF in Marsa Alam. This scheme is a tremendous achievement in helping to keep the Red Sea clean and addressing climate change in Egypt. We look forward to announcing developments elsewhere in the Red Sea soon.

It is with great sadness that HEPCA releases this statement concerning the loss of Abd El Megeed El Cherif, popularly known as Guido, one of the true pioneers of Red Sea diving and one of our industry’s most beloved faces.

Guido was a very special man, an unbelievable character who brought joy to every situation he encountered, and every room he entered. A businessman, Guido was a dedicated diving enthusiast and instructor, who ultimately left his everyday work behind to embrace his overwhelming passion for the sea.

Guido Cherif was the founder and original owner of the famous liveaboard M.Y. Coral Queen, a boat almost as legendary as the man himself.

M.Y. Coral Queen stood out in its class, a beautifully designed 24m motor cruiser, built in 1996, that was especially popular with British divers until her sad demise at Sha’ab Sataya in 2005. With the Coral Queen, Guido established a real landmark liveaboard in the Red Sea, with a unique atmosphere.

M.Y. Coral Queen was not notable for its size or luxury compared to the ’skyscraper boats’ that exist now, but through this boat Guido showed to the entire industry the true warmth of Egyptian hospitality.

Guido was committed to giving back to his local community and over the years many of the crew came from local tribes for training onboard. The fact that this relatively small and unassuming boat won ‘best liveboard in the world’ twice is testament to the very special kind of diving that Guido introduced to his guests.

So many people spoke highly of Guido, a real ‘Last of the Mohicans’ for the diving industry in the Red Sea.

Hossam Helmy, fellow diving pioneer in the Southern Red Sea, and owner of Red Sea Diving Safari had this to say yesterday about his close friend Guido:

“He was a real friend, a true gentleman and a genuine person. He helped me a lot and introduced me to diving at Fury Shoals, and perhaps even introduced this area as we know it now to the whole world. We spent together there many months diving and exploring sites, and he helped me personally with setting up our speedboat fleet that serves all the Red Sea Diving Safari bases throughout the South. God bless him. We will miss him.”

Our condolences and the heartfelt sympathies of the HEPCA team rest with the family and friends of Guido.

Poprad, March 9 (TASR) – After six years, Poprad-Tatry airport (Presov region) will have direct connection with Bratislava again, airport director Ivana Herkelova told TASR on Monday.

In co-operation with Danube Wings airline, the airport will launch new regular flights as of March 29, when the summer flight schedule will come into effect, meaning there will be five flights from Poprad-Tatry to Bratislava per week, says Herkelova.

In addition to Bratislava, a direct air connection with Bologna – the capital of northern Italian region of Emilia-Romagna – will be introduced. Bologna, one of the significant industrial and cultural centres of the country, is an important connector to such cities as Milan, Venice and Rome and is close to summer seaside destinations.

Besides the direct lines, travellers can make use of the Poprad-Basel connection by changing in Bratislava. Basel is an industrial centre, but it also offers a number of attractions such as the Basel carnival – Basler Fasnacht; Art Basel, a fair of temporary art; and the BaselWorld fair of clocks and goldsmithery. Basle Mulhouse Freiburg airport is the only binational airport in the world. Operated by France and Switzerland without any customs or border-related restrictions, the airport is situated in France.

In the summer flight schedule the regular flights of SkyEurope from Poprad to London will continue three times a week – Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

Direct connections with other holiday destinations, including Hurghada (Egypt) and Split (Croatia) will be added to traditional charter flights from Poprad to Burgas (Bulgaria). Danube Wings’ planes will fly to Split from June-September directly from Poprad.

Poprad-Tatry airport went through some revamping in 2008, including the construction of a new arrival terminal. The new premises increased the capacity from the original 150 passengers to 250, and they improved the quality of processing passengers.

via tasr

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Green tips you can practice every day to save the environment, source: Green Peace

Water

• Fix any leaky faucets, toilets or water pipes. Even a small drip can add up to a lot of water over time.
• Wash your car the natural way – wait until it rains.
• Install water saving faucets.

Energy

• Conserve fuel by turning down the heat at night and while you are away from your home — or install a programmable thermostat.
• Use compact fluorescent light bulbs.
• Insulate your home against heat loss and periodically check insulation.
• Fix air leaks with weather stripping and caulking.
• In the winter, change your furnace air filters once a month. The heater uses more energy when it is full of dust.
• Insulate your electric hot water heater and pipes. Do not, however, insulate gas heaters and only start insulating gas heater pipes about six inches away from the heater.
• Avoid using cars — walk, cycle or use public transportation whenever possible.
• Avoid anything battery operated (or use rechargables or solar rechargables if batteries are unavoidable).
• Buy locally — not only is it good for the local economy, it will save energy because products haven’t traveled across the globe to get to you.

Toxics

• Use non-toxic cleaning alternatives in your home, such as the ones listed in the booklet.
• Furnish your home with furniture made out of natural fibres, wood, metal and glass.
• Avoid the use of polyvinyl chloride (also known as PVC or vinyl) in your home. The entire life cycle of products made from PVC pollutes the environment and your home. PVC items include shower curtains, flooring, even some children’s toys.
• Avoid the use of aerosols.
• Use castor or mineral oils to lubricate switches and hinges instead of lubricants containing solvents.
• Choose water based latex paints over solvent based paints when painting your home. Never use lead based paints.
• If you have a furnace, fireplace or gas heater, have them serviced regularly to prevent deadly fumes and install a carbon monoxide detector.
• Ensure you have good ventilation and balanced humidity in your home to prevent the growth of mould and mildew, which can be harmful to your health.

Waste

• Do not throw out your toxic household wastes, such as paint, paint thinner, and car fluids, in the garbage or down the drain. Check with your local facilities for proper disposal and avoid these products in the future.
• Take your own bags to the grocery store. If you take plastic bags, use them until they are worn out.
• Compost your food waste and use as nutrient rich soil for your lawn.
• Avoid excess packaging.
• Always use reusables mugs, lunch containers, batteries, pens, razors, etc.
• Replace paper products with reusable ones (use recycled, non-chlorine bleached paper when you do have to use paper).