Talks about implementing incinerators as part of the government’s waste management plan have re-emerged recently after newly appointed Environment Minister Dr. Tamara El-Zein stated on MTV that she supports using incinerators to produce electricity from waste.

Incinerators were included in the government’s 2019 waste management plan, despite the efforts made by the Waste Management Coalition and several NGOs to highlight the harm caused by incinerators and explain why they won’t work in Lebanon. The topic had been largely forgotten due to the numerous crises Lebanon has faced.

The Waste Management Coalition, established in 2016 and comprising several NGOs and civil society groups, quickly issued a statement regarding the establishment of incinerators in Lebanon. They reminded the new minister of the environmental assessment conducted and the national solid waste management strategy that was put in place.

In short, the coalition has conducted a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) over the years and held public meetings for discussion. They also remain strongly opposed to incinerators for several reasons, a few of which I will outline below:

Lebanon is Not Ready for Incinerators
Adopting incinerators as a solution to Lebanon’s waste crisis disregards scientific and practical facts. Over 60% of solid waste in Lebanon consists of organic materials with high moisture content, making them unsuitable for incineration without the use of large amounts of additional fuel. Additionally, Lebanon lacks the infrastructure to monitor toxic emissions and manage hazardous waste generated from incineration, making any such project a significant risk to the environment and public health.

Incinerators Threaten Public Health and Exacerbate the Pollution Crisis
According to the Stockholm Convention, waste incinerators are among the main sources of dioxin and furan emissions, which are some of the most toxic and carcinogenic substances. Furthermore, Beirut already suffers from air pollution levels that exceed globally permitted limits by many times. How can we add another source of dangerous emissions without a strict monitoring system?

Incinerator Costs are Expensive and Economically Unsustainable
Studies indicate that the cost of building and operating an incinerator could exceed $160 per ton, which is several times higher than the cost of sorting, recycling, and composting. Given the severe financial and economic crisis, it is unacceptable to burden citizens with the costs of failed projects that harm environmental, health, and economic outcomes.

The Energy Extracted from Incinerators Does Not Justify Its Risks
Even if the incinerator operates according to the highest standards (which is not guaranteed in Lebanon), the energy generated would be minimal compared to the environmental and health damages it would cause. Sustainable solutions, such as biological treatment of organic materials and the production of compost and biogas, remain more feasible and less risky.

I believe the minister should engage in discussions with this coalition and consider their points before investing in any waste management solution. They have already expressed their readiness to meet with the minister to discuss this issue scientifically and objectively.

Dr. El-Zein is a distinguished Lebanese scientist and a leader in the field of environmental research and policy. Upon being appointed as Minister of Environment, she committed to reforming waste management, promoting renewable energy, and strengthening environmental regulations to combat pollution.