Scrap traders, exporters, their workers, and families staging a protest at the Nahr Abu Ali roundabout in Tripoli, northern Lebanon on 9 April 2025. (Credit: Michel Hallak/ L'Orient Today)
Scrap traders, exporters and their families staged a protest at the Nahr Abu Ali roundabout in Tripoli, north Lebanon, in reaction to Governor of North Lebanon, Ramzi Nahra, shutting down all scrap yards in Tripoli. Leaving more than 15,000 workers without a means to support their families, L'Orient Today's correspondent in the north reported Wednesday.
In North Lebanon, particularly Tripoli, scrap yards have become a significant part of the local economy, providing livelihoods for thousands of workers and contributing to the recycling industry.
Many scrap yards in the region deal with collecting and processing various types of scrap, such as metals, plastics, and other materials, which are then sold or exported.
These yards play a key role in the recycling supply chain and help mitigate the lack of state services in waste management and environmental issues.
Recently, the situation has become increasingly controversial due to environmental concerns and violations of regulations. Some scrap yards have been criticized for causing pollution, particularly through practices like the burning of tires to extract metals such as copper, which leads to harmful emissions and health risks for the surrounding communities. Additionally, the improper disposal of waste materials from these yards can speed up environmental degradation.
In response to these concerns, Nohra had ordered on March 3 the sealing of those scrap yards.
During the protest, all roads leading to the Nahr Abu Ali roundabout were blocked. The protesters then marched on foot to the Port of Tripoli, blocking its entrances and exits, as well as the Mina highway in both directions, causing severe traffic congestion. The Lebanese Army and security forces arrived, partially reopening some roads. The protesters gathered near the port entrance and distributed a statement, which read:
"We have always operated under the law and contributed significantly to the national economy. Our trade has been vital for thousands of families in Tripoli, Zgharta, Akkar, and surrounding areas. We reject the Governor’s decision claiming environmental pollution and the burning of tires, as we have been wronged by the law in many aspects," the statement read by scrap yard owners and workers, according to our correspondent in the north.
The statement continued: "The fires reported by residents were caused by waste burning at the Sunday market, not our work. We support closing any yard violating the law, but most of our yards are licensed and comply with regulations. We are protesting to reverse this decision and allow us to continue our work."
Business owners also spoke to the media, stating that the decision to seal both licensed and unlicensed businesses was due to fires causing pollution, primarily from the Sunday market dump, our correspondent reported.
"The decision harms the economy and the livelihoods of over 15,000 people, 90% of whom are Lebanese. Our work accounts for 30% of the port's activities. If the yards close, we can't transport our goods. We are licensed companies and call for the reversal of this decision," the statement concluded.
The protest ended with the Nahr Abu Ali roundabout being blocked again. After mediators intervened, a meeting was scheduled with the Grand Serail in Tripoli, and the roads were reopened.
In March, at least three major fires were reported in the heart of Tripoli. Scrapyard owners were incinerating, in wild dumps located in urban areas, a mixture of tires, electric cables, scrap metal and plastic or metal waste to extract copper or iron, which they then resell for a few handfuls of dollars, our correspondent in the north had reported.
With each fire, nauseating odors spread throughout the city, making the air unbreathable for several hours, or even more in neighborhoods near the incineration sites.