Overview
In Lebanon, handling and managing waste has long been a problem. The nation has suffered from a weak waste management system, which has resulted in several environmental and health problems. The historic garbage crisis of 2015 revealed the severity of the issue in and around the capital city of Beirut, where the situation was extremely bad. Landfills were overflowing, and a thorough recycling system was lacking.
The improvement of Lebanon's waste management procedures has received some assistance from international organizations and funders, but it has been difficult to make consistent progress. A multifaceted strategy comprising government commitment, community involvement, infrastructure investment, and public awareness campaigns is needed to resolve the trash challenge.
- Waste collected as below:
Municipal Collection: Waste collection in urban areas was the responsibility of the municipalities. They frequently entered into agreements with private businesses to offer collection services. This required setting up trash cans in different communities so that locals could dispose of their trash. The trash from these containers would then be collected by collection trucks from private businesses or by municipal staff along predetermined routes.
Skip System: The "skip system" was widely employed, in which big containers called "skips" or "dumpsters" were positioned in strategic spots around neighborhoods. These containers would receive household garbage from the locals. The skips would then be regularly emptied by collection trucks.
- What are the country's regulations about waste management and recycling (Provide legislation details and/or website/contact information for government bodies regulating waste management in the country)? Provide details of the government bodies responsible for waste management, regardless of the status.
Here is a quick summary:
1. Solid Waste Management Law 444/2002 The legal foundation for Lebanon's solid waste management is laid out in this statute. It includes a variety of topics, such as municipal obligations, trash transportation and collection, and the construction of facilities for the treatment and disposal of waste.
2. Environmental Protection Law 8/1998: This law establishes the framework for environmental protection in Lebanon. It covers a wide range of environmental issues, such as pollution control and waste management.
3. Ministry of Environment (MoE): The major government agency in charge of environmental matters in Lebanon is the Ministry of Environment. They keep an eye on rules and laws governing trash management and advocate environmentally friendly disposal methods. (https://www.moe.gov.lb/)
4. National Council for Scientific Research (CNRS): The CNRS is involved in research and the formulation of regulations pertaining to recycling and garbage management. To address environmental challenges, they work with numerous parties.
5. The Council for Development and Reconstruction (CDR) is involved in building Lebanon's infrastructure, including facilities for disposing of waste. They assist in planning and carrying out waste management programs.
Despite not being a member of the government, Lebanon's Union of Municipalities has been actively engaged in waste management initiatives, notably at the local level. They seek to assist local governments in enhancing trash disposal and collection procedures.
- Who provides the services (government or private companies)?
Private companies like Ramco,Lavajet, City blue,ect..
- Status of the landfills in the country? How many are there? Who manages them?
Number of Landfills: Lebanon has several landfills dispersed over its various areas. Although several of them were running above their intended capacity, these landfills were used to dispose of municipal solid garbage.
Lebanon contains 735 random land dumps in rural areas and 7 in major cities, six of which pose a threat to human health in Lebanon.
Management: Depending on the municipality and the region, these landfills were managed differently. While some landfills were run by private companies, others were directly overseen by local authorities. Due to the absence of a coordinated waste management system, environmental rules and garbage disposal procedures varied amongst landfills.
- For Private Recycling Projects: Several private businesses and groups participated in recycling projects. These projects frequently concentrated on gathering recyclable materials from homes and businesses, such as paper, plastic, and glass. Some of these businesses established recycling pickup or collection services in collaboration with local governments.
Hazardous Waste Disposal
It was extremely difficult to properly dispose of hazardous trash in Lebanon, including e-waste, medical waste, appliances, and other potentially toxic products. There were issues with the environment and public health since the nation lacked a thorough and well-regulated system for managing these forms of trash. Chemicals, e-waste, and other hazardous trash frequently end up being improperly disposed of, adding to pollution and posing possible health risks.
Despite its harmful components, e-waste, which includes electronic garbage like phones and computers, was frequently disposed of in conventional waste streams. Healthcare personnel and the general public may have been exposed to infectious materials due to improper segregation, collection, transportation, and treatment of medical waste created by healthcare facilities. Refrigerants and other dangerous elements found in appliances represent a risk if they are not properly disposed of since their release into the environment could affect air quality and contribute to global warming.
Non-Hazardous Waste Disposal
Due to Lebanon's decentralized waste management system, it was difficult to dispose of non-hazardous waste, such as typical household garbage from camps or complexes. While waste collection in different regions was handled by municipalities and private businesses, the range of reliable and effective waste disposal techniques varied greatly. Waste bins or skips were frequently utilized in metropolitan areas for collection, and municipal or private collection trucks would periodically empty these bins. Due to inadequate infrastructure, waste may, nevertheless, be burned, buried, or dumped in some locations.
The methods and techniques for managing black and grey water (from toilets, sinks, and showers) when it comes to wastewater disposal also vary by region. Sewage systems were set up in more developed urban areas to handle wastewater, and treatment plants processed sewage before releasing it into the environment. However, in some rural or unofficial communities, adequate wastewater treatment may be restricted or non-existent, resulting in water source contamination and potential health problems. The need for improved infrastructure and environmental safeguards was highlighted by the absence of an extensive wastewater management system in some areas.
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