Al Ahram Hebdo - An Article about Upcycling and our story

Upcycling: The Art of Breathing New Life

They are Sudanese or Palestinian individuals who have sought refuge in Cairo. Fleeing war, they arrive with nothing, beginning a struggle to find solutions to survive. From the start of their stay in Cairo, they search for ways to lead a normal life: first renting an apartment, then buying affordable furniture.

"We benefited from the recycling of furniture to buy two comfortable and sturdy beds at an affordable price. It was the ideal choice because, after checking furniture stores, the prices were unaffordable," shared a Palestinian mother who preferred to remain anonymous. She expressed admiration for the Mobikya project, where a bed costs no more than 4,000 EGP. Mobikya's beds are made using wooden shipping pallets, a washing machine drum serving as a bed frame, and car tires for support.

“Beds, chairs, tables, mirrors, and all sorts of furniture and decorative items can be crafted from solid waste like used tires and wood scraps. It’s about finding a way to reuse each material to meet the needs of each client,” explains Ibrahim Abougendy. While he is an architect, he prefers to be recognized as an artist and eco-conscious designer.

A Journey of Sustainability

Abougendy launched his Mobikya project in 2017, founded on the concept of upcycling. He believes that discarding used tires must stop because burning tires releases a significant amount of toxic pollutants into the air, many of which are carcinogenic. According to Abougendy, raising awareness and combating tire-burning practices harmful to health is crucial, as citizens must contribute to protecting the planet.

His passion for environmental preservation began during high school in his hometown of Port Said. "At the time, I participated in activities under the GLOBE Initiative, which involved measuring the concentration of marine algae to understand how pollution disrupts marine ecosystems," Abougendy recalls. This activity evolved into a passion and later became his profession. While studying at the American University in Cairo (AUC), he specialized in heritage conservation and book restoration through a leadership preparation program scholarship.

Goal: Zero Waste

Abougendy uses car, truck, and bicycle tires for his designs. In his workshop in Al-Fustat, nothing goes to waste—not even wood chips, which are glued onto walls to create unique patterns. Leftover paint from tire coloring is reused to achieve a zero-waste objective. He even transformed plastic soda bottle crates into sofa bases, sitting on them as he crafts his designs.

The circular shapes and striking colors of tire-made sofas immediately captivate clients. “The visual appeal and desire to own such rubber objects often arise before considering their environmental benefits. While climate change awareness may not be a priority for some, owning these items at home or in the garden could inspire ecological awareness,” states Abougendy.

To support his mission, he and his team developed a machine capable of cutting a tire in just three seconds without polluting the air. Through conferences and his website, Abougendy actively promotes upcycling. His designs are featured in Smart Village offices, where a communication company has created employee break areas using repurposed tires.

Abougendy also constructed structures for the Cairo Maker Fair using 500 old oil drums, creating gates, an information desk, and a towering 12.5-meter-high artistic structure at the event's entrance.

Creative Ideas for Old Tires

Abougendy hopes to train designers and workers to achieve mass production and lower the cost of recycled furniture. Upcycling, also known as creative reuse, involves transforming by-products, waste, or unwanted items into new materials or products of perceived higher quality—either artistically or environmentally. First coined in 1994, this practice is gaining traction in Egypt.

Materials to Reuse

Another eco-friendly initiative, Gezazy, focuses on reusing old wood and glass to renovate and breathe new life into damaged furniture. "We source used wood from traders or auctions, ensuring it's solid, termite-free, and has visible grain patterns," says Gezazy founder Moustafa Abdel Magued. His wife Asmaa explains their mission to promote recycling and reduce forest exploitation.

For instance, bottles undergo multiple steps—washing, cutting, and polishing—to become ashtrays, candlesticks, or chandeliers. One Gezazy client constructed a wall in her North Coast villa using green-tinted glass residues, allowing natural light while maintaining privacy.

Through these efforts, both Gezazy and Mobikya are contributing to a cultural shift towards sustainability, raising awareness about reducing deforestation and combating climate change.