LEBANON (Enmaeya News) - October 15, 2025

A critical new environmental initiative "Zahle: Environment and Organic Waste Recycling" was inaugurated Tuesday under the joint patronage of the Lebanese Ministry of Environment and the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, according to the Ministry of Environment.

The initiative aims to address Lebanon’s persistent waste management challenges by converting organic waste into valuable resources, creating economic opportunities in the process.

The project is a collaboration between the Municipality of Zahle, the French General Union for Waste Treatment (Trivalis), the French Development Agency (AFD), and the Lebanese Association for Energy and Environment Preservation (ALMEE).

Lebanon produces approximately 6,500 tons of waste daily, with organic waste constituting over half of this volume. Currently, much of this organic material ends up in landfills, contributing to environmental degradation.

The core goal of the project is to convert this organic waste into high-quality compost, which will then be utilized to support local agriculture.

This shift is expected to generate green job opportunities and advance a sustainable circular economy within the region.

Ministry representatives stressed that the success of the project depends on two key factors: effective waste separation at the source and a strong partnership between government bodies, municipalities, and local communities.

The Zahle project is deemed a crucial complement to the city's existing waste management facility, reinforcing sound environmental practices and significantly reducing the reliance on overflowing landfills.