New trash crisis looms as Costa Brava blocked

BEIRUT — Lebanon is facing the resurgence of its waste crisis as the Costa Brava landfill, one of the country’s primary waste disposal sites, has been effectively blocked. This development threatens to plunge Beirut and Mount Lebanon back into the chaotic scenes of uncollected garbage that marked previous crises.

The Costa Brava landfill, located near Rafik Hariri International Airport, was initially opened as a temporary solution to manage the capital’s waste after the closure of the Naameh landfill in 2015. However, the landfill has faced numerous operational issues, including environmental and health concerns due to its proximity to the airport, where seagulls attracted by the waste pose a hazard to aircraft safety.

Recent judicial orders have called for the permanent closure of Costa Brava, citing the failure to establish necessary waste processing facilities and the mounting environmental risks. With garbage already piling up to significant heights, this closure exacerbates the problem as alternative waste management solutions have not been fully implemented.

Environmentalists and local activists have long opposed the use of temporary landfills like Costa Brava, advocating instead for more sustainable waste management practices. The current situation has reignited debates about the government’s handling of waste and the need for a long-term, effective strategy. Efforts to establish new landfills and waste processing facilities have been slow, leaving the country in a vulnerable position regarding its waste management capabilities.

As the government scrambles to find immediate solutions, the threat of uncollected garbage once again lining the streets of Beirut looms large, highlighting the urgent need for a comprehensive and sustainable waste management plan.

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