Within the REMAL project, we are actively promoting sustainable change in the solid waste management sector across Lebanon’s coastal municipalities through targeted pilot projects and awareness-raising campaigns.
Pilot projects are implemented within each Union of Municipalities (UoM) based on targeted interventions identified through stakeholder workshops. These initiatives focus on improving waste management practices and reducing marine litter in line with local priorities. Continuous technical support and capacity-building are provided to UoMs and their local partners to ensure effective implementation, community engagement, and the long-term sustainability of the interventions.
informal workers engaged in the pilot projects
reduction in plastic waste disposed in open dumps
The UoM of Ouassat oua Sahil El Qaytaa is carrying out a coordinated intervention to improve waste management and address marine litter. Metal dumpsters are distributed and disposal sites are mapped to reduce illegal dumping. A total of 12 collection vehicles will be repaired across 14 municipalities, and a 10-ton truck will be procured to transport waste to the Srar facility. Surveillance cameras will be installed to support municipal police in monitoring coastal dumping violations. Coastal clean-ups will be organized with volunteer support and a video will be produced to raise awareness on marine litter prevention. These efforts will culminate in a beach clean-up event targeting Abdeh Beach to reinforce community engagement and environmental stewardship.
Cleaning campaign. 2025. ©UoM Oussat oua Sahil El Qaytaa
Cleaning campaign. 2025. ©UoM Oussat oua Sahil El Qaytaa
Truck procured to transport waste. 2025. ©UoM Oussat oua Sahil El Qaytaa
The UoM of El Menieh will implement an integrated waste management plan across five towns, focusing on vehicle maintenance, mapping disposal sites, source sorting and public awareness. The UoM expects to achieve a 10 to 15 per cent reduction in disposal volumes, with a focus on plastic and cardboard. The intervention will include the distribution of 45 sorting bins and 40 steel dumpsters, as well as the deployment of customized collection schedules. School-based awareness activities in 25 institutions will be complemented by media outreach campaigns. Collected sorted recyclables, will be sold to the private sector. Revenue generated will be invested into a green fund supporting projects such as public space greening and street lighting. Community feedback will be regularly collected through questionnaires.
The UoM of Al Fayhaa established a Regional Technical Office (RTO) to carry out a desk review of solid waste and marine litter policies at all governance levels, incorporating insights from previous initiatives such as “Al Fayhaa Tafroz.” The UoM distributed bins and cages to improve collection and organized two beach clean-up events and two street cleaning campaigns. Outreach activities include flyer distribution, community surveys, and media campaigns to promote sorting at source and reduce marine litter. A total of 20 awareness sessions were conducted in schools and with local communities, with the goal of reducing plastic waste by 5%. The project’s progress are monitored through key performance indicators (KPI).
Street cleaning activity with volunteers. 2025. ©UoM El Fayhaa
Workshop with municipal actors. 2025. ©UoM El Fayhaa
The UoM of El Koura is leading an integrated intervention to enhance recycling infrastructure and waste management services. A total of 180 dumpsters are distributed based on GIS mapping to optimize placement, with their effectiveness tracked through plastic waste monitoring. At the Beshmizzine Sorting Facility, a solar PV system is installed, and weighbridges and vehicles are undergone maintenance. Improvements at the Amioun facility includes the construction of a shaded area for glass sorting and the installation of fire safety equipment. An awareness campaign, including 33 school sessions and community training workshops, are rolled out to promote household sorting and build environmental stewardship from a young age.
Solar system installed at the Beshmizzine sorting facility. 2025. ©UoM El Koura
Shading structure installed at the Amioun sorting facility. 2025. ©UoM El Koura
Fire system installed at the Amioun sorting facility. 2025. ©UoM El Koura
The Union of Municipalities of Mintaqat El Batroun will purchase two small trucks to improve waste collection in mountainous and central areas, particularly where terrain limits service access. These trucks will ensure that underserved communities receive consistent waste collection services. Recyclables will be transported to a drop-off point managed by a private operator on behalf of the UoM. The initiative will be complemented by a new waste collection scheme designed to increase coverage frequency and operational efficiency across the region.
In Caza Jbeil, the UoM will enhance operations at the Hbeline Sorting Facility through the installation of a solar PV system aimed at reducing diesel reliance and operational costs. The project will include the maintenance of machinery, procurement of a plastic compactor and deployment of waste monitoring and tracking technologies to ensure improved transparency and accountability. These measures will enhance waste management capacity across approximately 13 municipalities in the region.
The UoM of Kesrouane El Ftouh will launch a recycling-focused initiative cantered on the procurement of a dedicated truck to collect recyclables from selected neighbourhoods. The recyclables will be transported to a central facility equipped with a baler to streamline processing. Bins will be distributed to localities, collection programs will be expanded and routes will be optimized for efficiency. Waste workers will be equipped with personal protective equipment to ensure safe handling. These interventions will reinforce the UoM’s existing waste recycling initiative and strengthen its integrated approach to sustainable waste management.
The Municipality of Bourj Hammoud will establish a RTO composed of local experts specializing in planning, training, and evaluation. This office will employ geographic information system (GIS) mapping and community engagement to guide environmental planning. Public outreach will target schools, shopkeepers and residents, focusing on reducing plastic bag use and encouraging responsible waste practices. The RTO will ensure that municipal decisions are data-driven and that environmental initiatives are effectively implemented.
To address solid waste management challenges in densely populated areas, the UoM of El Dahia El Janoubiya will procure two waste compactors. These vehicles will improve collection efficiency by reducing trip frequency to disposal sites and mitigating street-level waste accumulation. Designed with compact dimensions, the trucks will be capable of navigating the union’s narrow streets, ensuring regular service in otherwise inaccessible zones. This intervention will support public health and environmental hygiene objectives across the region.
The UoM of Iqlim El Kharroub will implement REMAL activities focused on the coastal municipalities of Jiyeh, Jadra, Sibline and Rumaila, which experience heavy waste accumulation. The UoM will equip these municipalities with a shoreline cleaning machine, a sweeper and specialized nets for solid waste collection from the sea. Community involvement will be central to the initiative, with national experts, school groups and scouts participating in educational workshops and coastal clean-up activities. A digital awareness campaign will complement field activities, encouraging residents to reduce marine litter. New bins will be installed to facilitate waste sorting at source and public events will promote environmental responsibility, contributing to cleaner beaches and the protection of marine ecosystems.
In Saida El Zahrani, the UoM will lead a targeted marine litter reduction campaign beginning with the identification of shoreline litter hotspots and environmentally sensitive areas requiring cleanup. The UoM will procure a shoreline cleaning machine and a street sweeper and will train staff on their use and upkeep. Dedicated storage facilities will be established for these tools. Partnerships will be formed with local stakeholders such as the Hariri Foundation’s Bqosta Material Recovery Facility to enhance waste handling. Awareness activities will combine digital and physical outreach tools, including quick response codes, social media and billboards. The UoM will also conduct workshops, school programs and beach clean-ups to instil sustainability principles. Educational materials will be distributed and a financial plan will be developed to ensure the long-term sustainability of project outcomes.
The UoM of Sahil El Zahrani enhances local waste management infrastructure and environmental awareness through a series of integrated actions. A 35-kilowatt peak (KWp) off-grid solar photovoltaic (PV) system with battery storage will be installed at the Abu Al-Aswad Waste Sorting Plant to ensure consistent energy supply. The UoM will maintain current waste collection equipment and procure a plastic grinder to increase recycling efficiency. A wide-reaching awareness campaign will be implemented across six municipalities, with approximately 250 sessions led by eight trained facilitators targeting school students, community members and waste collection workers. To encourage sorting at source, the UoM will manufacture and distribute 75 recycling bins to residential and commercial areas. A 15-day beach cleaning campaign will take place at Zahrani Beach, engaging Civil Defence volunteers, scouts and local residents in a collective effort to address marine litter.
Awareness sessions conducted in school. 2025. ©UoM Sahil El Zahrani
The UoM of Caza Sour is implementing a comprehensive awareness and marine litter reduction initiative targeting various local stakeholders. A dedicated Environmental Expert is recruited to lead “training of trainers” sessions for municipal staff, Regional Technical Office (RTO) personnel, non-governmental organization (NGO) representatives and first responders. These trainings supports the formation of a Local Environmental Committee (LEC), which organizes workshops on waste management, plastic reduction and ecosystem protection. The UoM engages solid waste workers, internally displaced persons in shelters, university students, vulnerable residents and children attending summer camps. Restaurants and catering businesses receives tailored training on sustainable waste practices. The UoM is also carrying out marine litter monitoring along six coastal plots in both wet and dry seasons, supported by 12 beach clean-up days and seabed cleaning campaigns led by professional divers. The RTO oversees marine litter data collection, supports waste sorting, maps Global Positioning System (GPS) points and contributes to a reporting mechanism that will support lasting behavioural change.
Seabed cleaning in Tyre coastline. August 2025. ©Union of Caza Sour (Tyre) Municipalities
A national awareness campaign was launched to address the growing challenges of solid waste and marine litter in Lebanon, encouraging local authorities and communities to take proactive steps to reduce their plastic footprint. The campaign promotes behavioural change and mobilises community action to prevent waste leakage into the environment and the sea. As part of this effort, a series of awareness-raising activities were carried out across Lebanon targeting diverse groups.
reduction in plastic waste per capita
