The Daily Star- A new plan to recycle waste and close down a controversial landfill site in the Lebanese costal town of Naameh will be presented to the Cabinet this week, Environment Minister Mohammad Machnouk told The Daily Star.
The strategy, which includes waste sorting by municipalities, selling recyclables to local industry and composting organic material for use as fertilizer, will pave the way for the closure of the Naameh landfill by January 2015.
Machnouk, who plays a key role in a committee headed by Prime Minister Tammam Salam tasked with finding an alternative to the Naameh landfill, said solid waste management was one of the greatest environmental challenges facing the country.
Machnouk said the committee would present its alternative plan this week to the Cabinet.
The proposal would see local municipalities take on a greater role in sorting garbage on local grounds, separating recyclable material at the source and selling it to local industries.
The early sorting will allow the separation of organic waste, which can be recycled into fertilizer. Garbage will be converted into refuse-derived fuel, which can be used in cement factories.
He said such a plan would require families and consumers to play an active role in helping with recycling at the source.
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