Marketplace

The Middle East @ Work

Cairo is a city of 8 million people, and yet most of the city's garbage is collected by an unofficial labor force which has been acting of its own volition for nearly 100 years. The "Zabbaleen," or "Trash People," live at the foot of the Muqqattam Hills on the city's east side. They collect, sort, sell, recycle, and reuse the vast majority of Cairo's refuse. (Alexander Heilner)

Cairo is a city of 8 million people, and yet most of the city's garbage is collected by an unofficial labor force which has been acting of its own volition for nearly 100 years. The "Zabbaleen," or "Trash People," live at the foot of the Muqqattam Hills on the city's east side. They collect, sort, sell, recycle, and reuse the vast majority of Cairo's refuse.

(Photo by Alexander Heilner)