Beyond Recycling: Lebanon's Journey to Circular Economy and Environmental Sustainability

Strategic Insights -

The American University of Beirut (AUB) played host to the closing ceremony of the Construction and Demolition Waste Management Project, an initiative funded by the European Union (EU) titled "Beyond Recycling: Circular Economy and Environmental Sustainability at the Heart of Lebanon's Reform Agenda." The event gathered representatives from government, academia, civil society, the United Nations, and donor agencies to highlight achievements and outline future directions for sustainable recovery in Lebanon. The project aimed to address the pressing issue of construction and demolition waste in Lebanon, while advancing circular economy practices and contributing to the country's broader reform agenda.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Construction and Demolition Waste Management Project, funded by the EU, aimed to address the pressing issue of construction and demolition waste in Lebanon, while advancing circular economy practices and contributing to the country's broader reform agenda.
  • The project was implemented under the BINA' project subgrants funded by the European Union (EU) and managed by Transparency International Secretariat (TI-S) and Transparency International Lebanon – No Corruption (TI-LB).
  • Minister of Industry Joe Issa El-Khoury emphasized the economic and industrial potential of construction and demolition waste recycling, highlighting its ability to reduce Lebanon's reliance on imports, strengthen local industries, and generate new jobs.
  • The EU's Deputy Head of Cooperation, Cyril Dewaleyne, reaffirmed the EU's commitment to supporting Lebanon's environmental and economic transition, noting that waste management is not only an environmental imperative but also a pathway to job creation, public health protection, and long-term sustainable development.
  • Senior Project Lead at Transparency International Lebanon, Rony Zgheib, called for strengthening partnerships between authorities and stakeholders to ensure that the project's recommendations are integrated into Lebanon's ongoing reform efforts.
  • Dr. Fadlo Khuri, President of AUB, highlighted the university's role in advancing research, innovation, and consensus-building, emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts to make circular economies a reality in Lebanon.
  • Dr. Yaser Abunnasr, Director of AUB-NCC, welcomed participants and reaffirmed the Center's mission of bridging research and policy for the public good.
  • Antoine Kallab, Associate Director of AUB-NCC and project lead, presented the project's key outcomes and forward-looking recommendations, developed through extensive research, stakeholder consultations, and policy analysis.

Statistics:

  • The Construction and Demolition Waste Management Project was funded by the European Union (EU) under the BINA' project subgrants.
  • The project involved extensive research, stakeholder consultations, and policy analysis.
  • Over 100 participants from government, academia, civil society, the United Nations, and donor agencies attended the closing ceremony.
  • The project's key outcomes and forward-looking recommendations were developed through extensive research, stakeholder consultations, and policy analysis.

Sources:

  • American University of Beirut (AUB-NCC)
  • European Union (EU)
  • Transparency International Secretariat (TI-S)
  • Transparency International Lebanon – No Corruption (TI-LB)
  • Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
  • SyndiGate Media Inc. ( )