Dozens protest in Beirut against waste incinerators

This demonstration was part of a larger movement involving various civil society groups and environmental activists who have been vocal about the potential health and environmental hazards posed by incineration.

The protest saw participation from notable figures, including MPs Paula Yacoubian, Nadim Gemayel, and Elias Hankash. These leaders, alongside activists from the Sabaa Party and the National Dialogue Party, united in their stance against the incinerator project. They argued that the lack of proper environmental impact studies and economic feasibility analyses made the project untenable.

One of the significant concerns raised by the protesters was the potential increase in pollution and health risks, including cancer, due to the emissions from the incinerators. The opposition emphasized the need for alternative waste management solutions such as improved recycling programs and the establishment of sanitary landfills.

The Beirut Municipality, facing these protests and the objections from various council members, decided to postpone the decision on the waste incinerator project. Mayor Jamal Itani acknowledged the need for scientific feedback and stated that an environmental impact study would be conducted once a location for the incinerator was chosen.

This event highlighted the ongoing public resistance against incinerators in Lebanon, reflecting broader concerns about the country’s waste management strategies and the push for more sustainable solutions.