The Pros and Cons of the Cabinet-approved Trash Solution

Trash disposed in Monteverde                 Source: Hummos for Thought Facebook Page

The Proposed Solution

On September 9, the Lebanese Cabinet finally approved a plan to end the garbage crisis in Lebanon. The plan consists of the following steps:

1. Reopening the Naameh Landfill for seven days to transport all the waste that has accumulated in Beirut and Mount Lebanon for the past two months
2. Extend Sukleen’s contract (only for garbage collecting) for 18 months
3. Send waste to the Saida Treatment Facility during the transitional phase
4. Upgrade a garbage dump in Akkar town of Srar to a sanitary landfill (to be used for 18 months)
5. Create a landfill in the Bekaa town of Masnaa (to be used for 18 months)
6. Commission the Council for Development and Reconstruction (CDR) and the Ministry of Environment to perform the required studies for the Ras Al Ain dump in Tyre
7. Upgrade and rehabilitate the garbage dump in BurjHammoud to a sanitary landfill
8. A long term plan to decentralize the waste management.

The Lebanese waste crisis and the way forward

Source: A Separate State of Mind Blog

The failure of the government to implement a new Solid Waste Management plan since the closure of the Naameh landfill has caused large protests in Lebanon. One of the main demands of the protestors is a permanent, sustainable and environmental solution for the garbage problem, instead of recurring emergency measures that are implemented to solve each crisis. Protestors are also demanding the resignation of the Minster of Environment for the lack progress on this issue.