NNA - In an attempt to prevent and mitigate the anticipated crisis, “Fondation Diane” and the “Waste Diversion Management Consortium” organized the official launching of the Consortium and the “Waste Diversion Pilot Project” in Hazmieh; a pioneering initiative that strives to diminish the amount of waste that reaches landfills, through fostering collaboration between local small & medium enterprises (SMEs) and communities, to implement radical and sustainable solutions to Lebanon's waste challenges. This project is implemented by “Fondation Diane” in partnership with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). It is financed by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
The event was held at Hazmieh municipality in the presence of the Head of municipality, Jean El Asmar, Founder and President of “Fondation Diane”, Diana Fadel, Head of component MSME Promotion, Employment Promotion Lebanon at ”GIZ”, Nada Melki, co-Founder of ”Compost Baladi”, Marc Aoun, co-Founder of “Yalla Return”, Rabih Chaar represented by the General Manager Elie Madi, co-Founder of “FabricAid”, Omar Itani, Founder and President of ”Ecoserv”, Gaby Kassab, in addition to the Consortium members, Hazmieh residents, as well as representatives from prominent NGOs, organizations, companies leaders in corporate social responsibility, and environmental specialists.
Together, We Can Solve Lebanon’s Waste Crisis!
The “Waste Diversion Management Consortium” is a group of 15 green start-ups and SMEs specialized in the waste management sector: Compost Baladi, Yalla Return, FabricAid, Ecoserv, Green Track, Recyco, ReFuse, M&R, Green Mount Recycling, Bi-Clean, Green Community, LWM, Plastc Lab, CS Touch Advisorsand Fondation Diane. It was founded with the main objective of creating an ecological alternative to the unhealthy and polluting way of collecting and managing waste, by implementing an effective waste diversion plan that starts with this pilot project, to test our approach and make the necessary adjustments before scaling up.
Under the title of “Sorting makes the difference”, the pilot project aims to mobilize residents of Hazmieh to sort their waste at source, promoting recycling efforts and responsible disposal practices. The significance of this initiative is critical as landfills are nearing capacity and waste collection contracts are on the brink of expiration. There is a growing public concern about waste reappearing on the streets, particularly in the absence of a comprehensive and effective long-term national waste management strategy.
To this end, it manages the four main types of solid waste: organic waste (food waste), which accounts for the highest percentage, recyclable waste (plastic, glass, tins, cardboard, paper,...), fabric waste (textile and old clothes), and electronic waste (old phone, computer, TV, batteries,...) which is the most dangerous!
This initiative consists of encouraging the residents of Hazmieh to return their recyclables to the “Yalla Return” kiosk located at Mar Takla, where they will be compensated based on the type and weight of their recyclables. As for the old/unwanted clothes and fabric, it goes in the blue “FabricAid” bin, while the e-waste goes in the red “Ecoserv” bin, next to the kiosk. As for the organic waste, it is collected by “Compost Baladi” which turns it into a premiumquality compost, an organic fertilizer that improves the quality of soil. To ensure proper sorting, white buckets of 17L were distributed to the residents who are willing to sort their organic waste. A truck and a team were also allocated to collect the organic waste from homes, restaurants and supermarkets on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
In her opening speech, Diana Fadel delivered a motivational message expressing gratitude to the Hazmieh municipality and residents. She continued by emphasizing the urgency of the situation, stating: "In Lebanon, there are over 1,000 disposal sites. As for the very few ones that adhere to legal and environmental standards, their capacity is limited, and they have unfortunately exceeded their threshold. We’ve had enough! That’s why, we at “Fondation Diane”, decided to roll up our sleeves and fight the battle of waste collection. Together, we can solve the waste crisis in Lebanon and set an example for other nations!"
She stressed the benefits of sorting waste at source, underscoring its environmental advantages compared to landfilling and incineration for the case of Lebanon. She said: “Sorting at source returns 80% of the value of what we dispose of; meaning that only 20% of the waste goes to landfills.”
The Head of the municipality, Jean El Asmar, took a moment to reflect on the municipality's proactive measures in addressing the waste crisis. Emphasizing the paramount importance of waste sorting at its genesis for environmental preservation, he urged residents to extend incentives to concierges and housekeepers to bolster these efforts. Furthermore, he advocated for the decentralization of waste management as a strategic step forward. Concluding with a resounding call to action, El Asmar affirmed, "Sorting at source is a straightforward task, requiring nothing more than personal dedication."
Nada Melki voiced her support for the Consortium and its pilot project, noting its alignment with the EPL Program (Employment Promotion Lebanon) and emphasizing the effectiveness of cooperation among SMEs.
Marc Aoun said: “Our nation continues to be trapped in a vicious circle of temporary solutions”. Then, he highlighted the significance of sustainable alternatives to landfilling, stating, "Organic waste stands as the primary catalyst for the crisis, accounting for the majority of solid waste generated. Left untreated, it emits noxious odors and liquids, attracting pests and insects while inflicting environmental and health hazards". At last, he stressed the importance of public-private partnerships as well as the environmental and agricultural benefits of composting.
Elie Madi stated: "The waste crisis falls on the shoulders of both the citizen and the government”. He outlined initiatives to restore citizens trust through incentivizing their waste sorting efforts, on two fronts: financially, by paying for their segregated recyclable waste, and morally, by activating the “your impact” feature on Yalla Return mobile app.”
Omar Itani discussed the economic dimensions of the waste crisis, emphasizing the potential for job creation and economic growth. He said: “Fabric waste accounts for 6% to 10% of the quantity of waste disposed of in landfills. The waste sector, which costs the state $400 per ton, holds the potential to boost Lebanon's exports from 3 to 6 billion dollars, annually.”
Gaby Kassab focused on the environmental and health impacts of electronic waste and used batteries, and the importance of proper disposal methods, stating, "Unlike solid waste such as plastic and paper, e-waste presents an immediate and substantial hazard. When dumped in landfills, burned or disposed of randomly, e-waste releases and emits, within few hours, toxic chemicals that can pollute the soil, groundwater and air. He concluded: "In Lebanon, e-waste amounts to 46,000 tons annually, with the majority still lingering in households. We unknowingly breathe in its emissions daily, as it is odorless.”
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