- Title: Gaza cafe complex serves up lessons in recycling alongside drinks
- Date: 13th July 2021
- Summary: GAZA CITY, GAZA (JULY 8, 2021) (REUTERS) FOUNDER OF COMPLEX OF THE "THE SEA IS OURS" ASSOCIATION AND OWNER OF CAFE MADE OUT OF RECYCLED PIECES, ALI MHANA WALKING INTO CAFE, OPENING A REFRIGERATOR DOOR LIGHT FIXTURE MADE OUT OF CAR TYRE VARIOUS OF MHANA OPENING WINDOW MADE OUT OF WASHING MACHINE DOOR MHANA CLOSING DOOR MADE OUT OF RECYCLED REFRIGERATOR DOOR VIEW OF CAFE BY THE BEACH MHANA PLANTING INSIDE RECYCLED TYRES PLANTS INSIDE COLORED TYRES WITH JEANS TROUSERS AS DECORATION (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) FOUNDER OF COMPLEX OF THE "THE SEA IS OURS" ASSOCIATION AND OWNER OF CAFE MADE OUT OF RECYCLED PIECES, ALI MHANA SAYING: "The field I have chosen today is a very good field, it is creating a good impact, I don't have to be a doctor for humans. I can be the doctor of the sea, a doctor of the community that suffers from several illnesses." VIEW OF PILES OF WOOD VIEW OF PILES OF TYRES WALL PAINTED WITH HANDS HOLDING EACH OTHER FORMING A CIRCLE READING (Arabic): "THE SEA IS OURS." (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) FOUNDER OF COMPLEX OF THE "THE SEA IS OURS" ASSOCIATION AND OWNER OF CAFE MADE OUT OF RECYCLED PIECES, ALI MHANA SAYING: "We visited the warehouses of the municipality and found out that they have masses of solid wastes like gallons, carts, tyres of vehicles, stones, there are many materials that we can use and to invest in to build our place." SOLID MATERIAL PILED UP TO BE RECYCLED (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) FOUNDER OF COMPLEX OF THE "THE SEA IS OURS" ASSOCIATION AND OWNER OF CAFE MADE OUT OF RECYCLED PIECES, ALI MHANA SAYING: "So we approached the municipality and they gave us a good amount of these solid wastes." EXTERIOR OF CAFE (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) FOUNDER OF COMPLEX OF THE "THE SEA IS OURS" ASSOCIATION AND OWNER OF CAFE MADE OUT OF RECYCLED PIECES, ALI MHANA SAYING: "Entering this association does not require a fee, but the family that wants to visit the association should bring any type of solid waste that they have at home, like old clothes, kitchen utensils, glass water bottles, jars..." VISITORS SITTING AT CAFE IN THE ASSOCIATION ON RECYCLED FURNITURE
- Embargoed: 27th July 2021 12:28
- Keywords: Beach Environment Gaza Recycle
- Location: GAZA CITY, GAZA
- City: GAZA CITY, GAZA
- Country: Palestinian Territories
- Topics: Environment,Middle East
- Reuters ID: LVA001ELOC505
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: A popular beach cafe serves up a healthy portion of environmentalism in the Gaza Strip, one of the most densely populated places on earth.
The eatery is part of a complex, built from reused wooden poles, plastic jugs, tyres and broken bricks by local playwright Ali Mhana and a group of friends, dedicated to encouraging recycling in the Palestinian enclave of two million.
Known as "The Sea is Ours" Community Association, the structure also houses a library, theatre and open event spaces where youngsters and adults can learn about saving the environment.
Dressed in a blue uniform, Mhana calls himself the "Doctor of the Sea", hoping to help cure at least some of impoverished Gaza's ills, through activities at a site partly damaged during 11 days of cross-broder fighting in May between Israel and militants.
Customers seeking to rent an open space for an event can volunteer an hour of their time to help pick up litter at the beach or bring in other material for recycling in lieu of payment.
"I don't have to be a doctor for humans. I can be the doctor of the sea, a doctor of the community that suffers from several illnesses." said Mhana
The project is backed by the Gaza municipality, which provided the beachfront site for the complex.
Mhana's office at the centre serves as an example of creative recycling.
Its door was taken off a refrigerator and its windows used to be washing machine doors.
An official at the Gaza Environment Quality Authority said 2,000 tonnes of solid waste is collected in the Gaza Strip every day. Over half of it comes from homes, and thousands of Palestinians earn money selling material to recycling factories.
(Production: Arafat Barbakh, Mohammad Shana, Nuha Sharaf) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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