Protest lit against incinerators, municipality halts decision

In July 2019, the Beirut Municipality faced significant public backlash over its proposed waste incinerator project. Hundreds of protesters, joined by MPs Paula Yacoubian, Nadim Gemayel, and Elias Hankash, gathered outside the municipal building, demanding a halt to the incinerator plans. The protestors expressed concerns over the potential health and environmental risks, citing a lack of comprehensive environmental impact studies and economic feasibility analyses.

Mayor Jamal Itani announced the postponement of the discussion regarding the incinerator’s terms of reference, emphasizing that the decision was driven by the need for scientifically-backed feedback rather than just the protest. The incinerator’s opponents argued that Lebanon, with its current infrastructural and regulatory challenges, was ill-equipped to handle such a project safely. They advocated for improved waste sorting and recycling programs as more sustainable solutions to the country’s waste management crisis.

The demonstration underscored the broader public discontent with the government’s approach to waste management, reflecting a call for more transparent and environmentally sound policies.