Zabbaleen Products

Handmade in Egypt

Our products are handmade in the heart of Cairo by expert and innovative craftswomen. Everything is made from clean recycled materials and turned into useful, beautiful and unique items. The sources are carefully chosen; new fabric scraps and offcuts come from textile factories, printed paper from shops and educational establishments. Ties, ringpulls and coffee capsules are donated straight to the A.P.E. Nothing comes out of the garbage.

The makers belong to an Egyptian NGO, the Association for the Protection of the Environment (A.P.E.), which has a 35 year history of working alongside the Zabbaleen, the informal garbage collectors’ community. Through the A.P.E.'s development programmes, women especially have become empowered to build better lives for themselves and their families and children.

We buy the products on Fair Trading terms and donate a substantial percentage of our profit to support the A.P.E. community projects.

One of a kind

with a unique shoulder bag

Bag, Siwa shoulder

Regular price: £24.00
Sale price: £24.00

Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

Colour

This bag has been made with carefully matched, recycled furnishing fabrics and trimmed with braid for an ethnic boho vibe. It is lined and padded, with a large zipped interior pocket. Most have an additional open pocket for quick access items. The long strap is adjustable so that it can be worn on the shoulder or across the body.

Measurements: 21cm x 26cm x 3.5cm (closed), 126cm strap. Dry clean

Paper-making workshop

Using traditional skills, recycled paper is pulped and remade into a wide range of beautiful handmade stationery items.

Textiles workshop

The craftswomen work co-operatively on site or at home. They drop in for advice or to share skills

New Products

Community members are innovative in developing new products

Skilled and empowered

Zabbaleen community members are encouraged to develop their careers with the A.P.E. and are involved at every level.

Our products are

Eco-friendly - made from recycled materials

Ethically sourced - the makers work with fair trade standards

Handmade skilfully and to high standards

OFFERED POSTAGE FREE TO UK SHOPPERS

Shipping costs will be added at the checkout for all other countries

Beautifully decorative gift bags

skilfully handmade and enhanced

Discarded offcuts of furnishing fabrics

made into useful bags - each one a unique design

Recycled aluminium ring pulls

Discarded drinks can tabs upcycled as decorative containers

Vibrantly colourful, strong rugs

hand woven from offcuts and scraps