Short-term solutions are not the most effective. In fact, they can even make things worse. In seeking a long-term, sustainable solution to solid waste management, VNG International worked with local authorities in Lebanon, The Hague and Almere to strengthen solid waste management capacities — as Lebanon dealt with a massive influx of Syrian refugees.
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The use of traditional methods of waste disposal increased with the doubling - or even tripling - of the population due to the influx of refugees. These short-term solutions are not the proper answer.
THE PROJECT IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR AITANIT BECAUSE IT TRANSFORMS OUR VILLAGE INTO A SHOWCASE FOR NEIGHBORING VILLAGES
MR. ASSAAD NAJEM
MAYOR OF AITANITCombining the knowledge and experience of Dutch and Lebanese municipal staff, we began a sorting-at-source programme for most garbage – so valuable raw material could be sold and recycled, and organic waste composted. The objective was to reduce residual waste by 78% within one year.
In Manarah and Aitanit, the entire community has been mobilized to start sorting their solid waste at home. A second phase focuses on post-sorting at the warehouse so that the remaining recyclables are subtracted from the residual waste.
Building of the warehouse in early 2017 in Manarah: a new waste sorting facility guaranteeing better futures for the whole community.
Using western Bekaa as a showcase, we expanded our interventions to the Beqaa Valley, which caught the attention of the UNDP – who are willing to use our expertise and experience to start a pilot project in Northern Lebanon.
From waste to revenue
The Results
- Two successful waste management pilots, rewarded with a Grade B quality certificate (more than sufficient for agricultural use).
- Expansion to 5 villages (Aqaba and surroundings).
- The successful rehabilitation of a huge open-air dump site, where waste had been being burned.
Team members
- Anika Timmerman and Jarik Stollenga VNG INTERNATIONAL THE HAGUE
- Rami Assaf, Grace Abdallah, Ziad Moussa VNG INTERNATIONAL LEBANON
- Robert Ravensbergen, Peter Wilders MUNICIPALITY OF ALMERE
- Sarah van Nispen, Henry Terlouw MUNICIPALITY OF THE HAGUE