Baalbek’s waste sorting facility will start this spring

A solid waste sorting facility constructed in Baalbek in 2013, will begin operating in May.

The Municipality of Baalbek provided the 200,000 square meter land for the plant, which will sort 200 tons of waste per day from 300,000 individuals in the towns of Baalbek and Hermel.

Al Jihad for Commerce and Contracting will manage the operations and maintenance of the plant. The State Ministry for Administrative Development will pay the firm $25 per sorted ton, for the next three years.

“A biogas unit was recently installed at the facility to generate power from waste,” said Hamad Hassan, Baalbek Mayor.

The facility’s construction was supported by the European Union and Italian Cooperation Office for a total investment of $15 million. The funding provided for the establishment of a nearby landfill. The Italian Government plans to provide the facility with a fleet of vehicles.

“We are collaborating with the Ministry of Environment to include this facility in the national plan for solid waste,” said Hassan.