Why waste-to-energy incinerators won’t solve Lebanon’s waste crisis

Lebanon’s newly appointed environment minister, Dr. Tamara El-Zein, has proposed waste-to-energy (WtE) incinerators as a key part of the country’s waste management strategy, but without the necessary infrastructure and safeguards, this approach is unlikely to succeed.While WtE incinerator technologies have been implemented successfully in some countries, they are largely ineffective when not part of a comprehensive waste management system that focuses on waste reduction, segregation, efficient collection and integrated treatment. Lebanon’s lack of such a system, alongside significant operational, environmental, and financial risks, will make the adoption of WtE incinerators highly problematic and set Lebanon on a direct path to failure.WtE is not a standalone solution. It can only function as part of a broader, integrated waste...