The Zaballeen

Garbage Dreams, a noteworthy movie screening this winter through Community Cinema, is about a garbage city in Egypt where 80% of the garbage is recycled. The trailer and clips look fascinating. The documentary follows three boys who have grown up as Zaballen or garbage collectors and recyclers and what they learn traveling to other countries. The Cloud Institute: "Garbage Dreams, directed by Mai Iskander, addresses garbage and consumption in an innovative way. In the world's largest garbage village located on the outskirts of Cairo, Egypt, the Zaballeen (Arabic for garbage people) recycle 80 percent of the trash they collect-far more than other recycling initiatives. Garbage Dreams can be a great resource paired with our Changing Consumption Patterns and Paper Trails curricula, found here.