Before the genocidal war, daily life in Gaza included an informal but functional plastic collection system. A waste collector moved through neighborhoods using a donkey-drawn cart, calling for residents to sell plastic and scrap materials.

This activity was not only a source of income, but also an integral part of local solid waste management practices.

Households commonly separated plastic waste at the source, sorting larger plastic items such as cups, plates, toys and plastic appliances. These materials were stored and later collected by the waste collector, who transported them from one street to another.

The process provided livelihood support while simultaneously contributing to environmental protection by reducing plastic accumulation in public spaces. It created income-generating opportunities by reducing plastic accumulation in streets and directing part of the waste into limited recycling pathways, depending on available facilities and technical capacity, thereby supporting basic environmental protection and public health under blockade conditions. ….more