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Lebanon is facing multi-layered challenges deriving from its longstanding structural issues, which have been exacerbated by the economic crises of the past three years. Soaring prices in the international markets, due to a worldwide inflation in recent months, have significantly impacted domestic prices as Lebanon heavily relies on imports, importing 52.8% of all goods and services in 2021 (World Bank). This reliance on imports has increased the country’s debt, decreased the demand for domestically produced goods and services, and has resulted in an inability to develop its own industries. This has led to increased competition over limited resources and limited employment opportunities, fuelling already high tensions between Syrian and Lebanese host communities.

Lebanon also continues to grapple with significant solid waste management issues that originated in the 2015 garbage crisis and persist as a significant challenge nationally. These ongoing issues highlight the inadequacy of waste disposal infrastructure and the economic repercussions of mismanaged waste. As demonstrated in a report by Human Rights Watch, published in 2020, the economic burden is substantial, with Lebanon disproportionately spending $154.5 per ton of solid waste managed, significantly higher than other countries in the region, including Jordan and Syria. Annually, this amounts to around $420 million, creating a strain on the national economy, which is already in crisis. Moreover, improper solid waste management incurs a huge cost of $66.5 million annually in environmental degradation. While civil society is actively contributing to addressing the waste management crisis, there continues to be a lack of accessible and convenient recycling schemes in much of the country. This underlines the urgent need for sustainable waste management services and practices.

Reducing reliance on expensive imports by sourcing local alternatives will lead to a reduction of financial pressure on the most vulnerable households and will increase availability of affordable locally produced goods and increase decent employment opportunities. The negative effects of the waste crisis in Lebanon is a visible reminder of the state’s failure to provide basic services to its population. Landfills release excessive amounts of methane, a greenhouse gas linked to climate change. Existing circular economic models propose a solution to such challenges by reducing the amount of waste generated, by keeping materials within the market systems therefore minimising waste, and sustaining livelihood opportunities. Opportunities exist at the level of collection, sorting and treatment or recycling of the waste products but the lack of access and awareness among the population mean that these opportunities are missed.

BY targeting vulnerable groups with circular economy activities including income-generation and employment opportunities AND BY strengthening the capacities and skills of entities and individuals to expand the recycling value chain and establish new circular economy value chains AND BY raising awareness and advocating for behavioural change in relation to waste  and prioritisation of the waste sector as a source of decent employment opportunities THEN targeted beneficiaries will have access to livelihood opportunities that will sustain beyond the project duration and contribute to Lebanon’s economic recovery while having positive environmental and social consequences for the country.

The intervention logic of this project is built upon a multi-faceted approach aimed at addressing the identified development problem of limited livelihood opportunities in Lebanon.