Garbage being dumped in Tripoli. (Courtesy of Michel Hallak/L'Orient Toda
BEIRUT — Riad Yamak, head of Tripoli's municipality, warned on Monday about the dangers of dumping and burning waste around Tripoli, particularly in the southern, eastern, and northeastern areas.
"This practice harms the environment and poses serious health risks to residents and drivers," Yamak said.
He urged Caretaker Environment Minister Nasser Yassin and North Governor Ramzi Nohra to "take immediate and strict action against those responsible for dumping waste at the entrances and surrounding areas of Tripoli and setting it on fire intermittently, due to its severe negative consequences."
"The source of this waste is the municipalities surrounding Tripoli, which lack the means to manage waste due to the absence of a waste dump, especially in the municipalities of Koura, Ras Maska, and Majdalia," Yamak emphasized.
Yamak expressed “hope” that the Minister of Environment would "fulfill the promises made during their meeting regarding this issue, which harms the environment and causes significant health problems for Tripoli's residents."
Yamak also criticized the illegal burning of wires and waste in Tripoli's northern irrigation area, emphasizing the Minister's commitment to resolving and punishing those endangering public health.
Lebanon has faced recurring waste management crises due to inadequate systems, economic challenges, and political issues. Tripoli, like other parts of Lebanon, has experienced inconsistent trash collection amid the ongoing economic crisis. The 2015 trash crisis, triggered by the closure of the Naameh landfill, led to widespread waste accumulation and public protests.
