At Ocean Bottle, we celebrate and champion the collectors who turn plastic waste into change and opportunity for the ocean and their families. People who, through their love and hard work, are stopping plastic hitting the Nile and heading out to the ocean.

At just 21, Korollus is stepping up as a voice for change in Manshiyet Nasr, Cairo. 

Alongside his plastic collection work, he’s inspiring neighbours and friends to take better care of their environment and the ocean. 

His energy and optimism show the power of young people to lead the way towards a cleaner, brighter future.

“I know I prevent plastic from getting into the rivers and the sea. I know the value of my work and that’s important. I think that’s what’s changed for our younger generation. We know the importance of our work and we’re proud of it,” he says. 

We’d also like to introduce you to Eman Rizk, 33, who once worked as a beautician before joining her husband in recycling.

“I’ve found pride in this work. I know I’m protecting the ocean. I make an income and I have built a beautiful home with it for my family. I now decide what I do, how I live and how I can provide for my children,” she says proudly.

“I have taken my family to the ocean. I like to swim in the sea. Once I see the ocean, I forget about everything else. I love it so much. It’s such a special place. And I know my work keeps it clean,” says Eman.

Nady, 45, is a branch owner in Cairo, where hundreds of kilograms of plastic get processed every day before they hit the Nile and then the ocean. 

“I see a lot more plastic now, a lot more. Sometimes there’s so much we can’t even process it all…It’s a big environmental problem, it takes many years to degrade. 

“It’s very depressing. It’s destroying the reefs. The place we went - to Dahab - is getting destroyed because of it. We have beautiful corals. I’m doing my small part to keep the ocean clean,” he explains, adding: 

“The sea is good. The ocean is good. The sea is very clean because we work hard to keep it clean.”

In Cairo, Irini Edel, a 29-year-old environmentalist, starts each morning sorting over a hundred kilos of plastic. Her husband collects through the night, and together they make sure this plastic never reaches the sea.

Irini is now a manager, employing four others in her neighbourhood. Her work gives her stability, choice, and independence. “My children go to private school now thanks to my work,” she says.

For Irini, Korollus, Eman, and Nadi, collecting plastic isn’t just a job - it’s a vocation - creating opportunity, protecting their families, and caring for the planet.

Every Ocean Bottle sold directly supports this effort: creating income, education, and security for plastic collectors worldwide. Protecting the ocean isn’t just about saving nature — it’s about standing with the people who make it possible.