A grant by the European Union (EU), totaling $18 million, was announced on June 17. The funds will be used to invest in solid waste treatment projects in Akkar and the Bekaa.

State Minister for Administrative Development Nabil De Freige said: “The grant will be used to expand the waste treatment plant currently being operated by the Municipality of Baalbek.” The expansion will allow the treatment of all waste produced by the governorate.

Part of the grant will be used to create and equip two landfills in Srar (Akkar): One for car exhausts and another for household waste. A sorting facility in Zahle will also be equipped to handle the increasing amounts of waste in the region.

The grant also covers the construction of two plants for the compost of organic and household waste in Jeb Jennin. According to De Freige, the EU will consider allocating more funds to create a landfill in Jeb Jennin, and construct another waste treatment plant in Akkar. “It will also work to fund the construction of the second phase of a plant for waste sorting and compost to serve the entire Akkar,” he said.

“The grant, signed by the EU, still needs the approval of the Council of Ministers,” he said.