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Solving the waste crisis in Akkar

Solving the waste crisis in Akkar

Waste accumulated along the roads of Akkar, June 5, 2023. (Credit: Michel Hallak)

For the past four years, Akkar, a disadvantaged region in northern Lebanon, has been crushed by waste. On Monday, authorities outlined solutions that could help overcome the waste crisis, which include the reopening of a sorting plant, L'Orient-Le Jour's correspondent in the North reported.

Exacerbated by the onset of the crisis in 2019, large quantities of waste and animal carcasses have periodically piled up on Akkar's roads, especially in recent months. This has attracted large numbers of insects and stray animals. The trash crisis has caused residents to fear serious environmental and health consequences, with garbage blocking roads and fueling the risk of fires.

According to Ahmad el-Mir, head of the Union of Municipalities of the Central Coast of Akkar, the crisis can be traced back to the dismal financial situation of municipalities, which are unable to provide needed waste collection, cleaning, transport and treatment. In particular, local authorities are no longer able to pay their debts to Meamar Construction, the company responsible for transferring waste to landfill sites. Mir highlighted the difficulties the company has faced since it became subject to US sanctions. Sanctions were imposed by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) in September 2020 on two companies, one of which was Meamar Construction, for alleged links with Hezbollah, according to a statement issued at the time by the US Treasury.

The presidents of the municipalities concerned met to discuss solutions ahead of a meeting to be held at the Grand Serail in the presence of the caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati and several officials, including the outgoing Minister for Administrative Development, Najla Riachi, the outgoing Minister for the Environment, Nasser Yassine, and the President of the Development and Reconstruction Council, Nabil Jisr. At the end of the discussions, Mikati agreed to reactivate the Srar waste sorting plant and reopen the adjoining landfill, said Mir.

An agreement has been signed with el-Amana to operate the plant.

Lebanon has faced several waste crises in recent years, which have been the result of inadequate management, economic and political difficulties, and internal conflicts. Notably, a major trash crisis erupted in 2015 when the country's main landfill, in Naameh, was closed without an alternative. This lead to an accumulation of untreated waste in the streets and major demonstrations across the country.

For the past four years, Akkar, a disadvantaged region in northern Lebanon, has been crushed by waste. On Monday, authorities outlined solutions that could help overcome the waste crisis, which include the reopening of a sorting plant, L'Orient-Le Jour's correspondent in the North reported.Exacerbated by the onset of the crisis in 2019, large quantities of waste and animal carcasses have...