Trash for cash in crises-weary Lebanon

Record ID: 1689176

  • Title: Trash for cash in crises-weary Lebanon
  • Date: 15th September 2022
  • Summary: BAUCHRIEH, LEBANON (SEPTEMBER 8, 2022) (REUTERS) (PART MUTE) DRONE SHOT SHOWING PILED TRASH AT LEBANON WASTE MANAGEMENT, A RECYCLING AND SORTING FACILITY (MUTE) CARS PARKED IN FRONT OF LEBANON WASTE MANAGEMENT'S "DRIVE THROW" SERVICE / BANNER READING (English and Arabic): "LWM LEBANON WASTE MANAGEMENT. DRIVE THROW. TURN YOUR TRASH TO CASH" VARIOUS OF WOMAN TAKING OUT TRASH BAGS OUT OF CAR (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) FOUNDER OF LEBANON WASTE MANAGEMENT, PIERRE BAAKLINI, SAYING: “We started this initiative back in 2019 because of the garbage crisis in Lebanon, trying to offer solutions to the country and the people. We reached a point amid this economic crisis where we wanted to turn the crisis into a glimpse of hope by buying the garbage directly from individuals by the kilogram, no matter the quantity.” DRONE SHOT SHOWING BALES OF PLASTIC WASTE PILED UP AT LEBANON WASTE MANAGEMENT (MUTE) BAAKLINI WALKING PAST THE “DRIVE THROW” POINT VARIOUS OF WORKERS SORTING TRASH VARIOUS OF MACHINE SHREDDING PLASTIC / SHREDDED PLASTIC (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) FOUNDER OF LEBANON WASTE MANAGEMENT, PIERRE BAAKLINI, SAYING: (SOUNDBITE STARTS WITH BAAKLINI HOLDING SHREDDED PLASTIC): “What you see now are plastic bottles that we used to drink water with. They were brought to our facility by individuals, we shredded them and packed them in 40-kilogram bags to be exported outside Lebanon in containers that can carry up to 22 tonnes by which we can bring fresh dollars to the country.” BANNER READING (English): "DRIVE THROW" / VARIOUS OF WOMAN TAKING OUT TRASH BAGS FROM CAR TRASH ON SCALE VARIOUS OF WOMAN TAKING CASH IN EXCHANGE OF TRASH (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) FOUNDER OF LEBANON WASTE MANAGEMENT, PIERRE BAAKLINI, SAYING: “Lebanon Waste Management is the main company. We created an initiative under its umbrella called “Drive Throw”. It is the same drive-through concept, where people pass by and sell their trash. When we started in June, the average was 37 people (per day)." (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) FOUNDER OF LEBANON WASTE MANAGEMENT, PIERRE BAAKLINI, SAYING: “In August, we broke all numbers. In one day, we were able to buy 4.3 tonnes, this was an amazing number. I hope we keep on growing. We reached 63 people coming to us daily, from whom we are able to buy 1,200 kilograms (of trash) daily." VARIOUS OF PEOPLE DROPPING TRASH AT THE "DRIVE THROW" POINT STAFF MEMBER ON CASHIER COUNTING AND HANDING MONEY TO WOMAN IN EXCHANGE FOR TRASH LEBANON WASTE MANAGENT STAFF CARRYING TRASH BAGS (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) LEBANESE WOMAN, LAURA FARES, SAYING: “We bring the recycled items because we are used to this, it's been a few years we sort (trash)... for the environment. Once we knew they can be sold, we started to encourage others too. Since we are sorting, they benefit from them. We either give them out to someone or gather them. It is doing good on all sides." WORKERS SORTING TRASH (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) SCOUT LEADER, LEONARD CHAMOUN, SAYING: “We have been collecting plastic for a year, from the scout group and members. Today, we decided to come (bring them here) because the quantity is significant, around 40 to 50 kilograms of plastic. This is very encouraging because when you see there is a big consumption of those things (recyclable trash) and there is recycling for them, you feel happy and appreciate all the work those people are doing.” STAFF MEMBER PUTTING CARDBOARD WASTE IN MACHINE MACHINE PRESSING CARDBOARD WASTE (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) FOUNDER OF LEBANON WASTE MANAGEMENT, PIERRE BAAKLINI, SAYING: “I graduated from school and university and did not have a single class or session about recycling. We had no recycling culture in Lebanon. Now, children are coming and learning the ways and types of recycling, what can be recycled and what not; and they are getting money in return, instead of throwing (what is worth) this money in the garbage. Children smile when they come here (for recycling) and this is enough to make us continue (our work) every day.” DORA, LEBANON (SEPTEMBER 8, 2022) (REUTERS) (MUTE) VARIOUS OF DRONE SHOTS SHOWING LANDFILL IN DORA
  • Embargoed: 29th September 2022 13:31
  • Keywords: Crisis Garbage Lebanon Recycling Waste management
  • Location: BAUCHRIEH AND DORA, LEBANON
  • City: BAUCHRIEH AND DORA, LEBANON
  • Country: Lebanon
  • Topics: Environment,Middle East
  • Reuters ID: LVA001489213092022RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: In crises-ridden Lebanon, an entrepreneur and activist saw an opportunity in the piles of garbage filling parts of the country.
    Landfills and dumpsites - many infamously known as “garbage mountains” - have mushroomed across Lebanon since the 1990s. The mess peaked in 2015 when the capital’s main landfill shut down, after running well beyond its expiry date.
    Politicians wrangled over what to do, and the trash crisis of 2015 sparked a protest movement. It became a glaring symbol of a sectarian power system unable to meet basic needs like electricity and water.
    Sensing an opportunity, Pierre Baaklini launched ‘Lebanon Waste Management’ in 2019 - a sorting and recycling facility in Bauchrieh in the northern suburbs of Beirut.
    He used his own car to collect trash that can be recycled and delivered it to sorting facilities.
    In June, he launched a "Drive Throw" service, where people drive their cars to drop off their trash including metal, plastic, and paper in exchange for much-needed cash.
    "We reached a point amid this economic crisis where we wanted to turn the crisis into a glimpse of hope by buying the garbage directly from individuals by the kilogram, no matter the quantity," Baaklini said.
    Laura Fares is a Lebanese woman who took the initiative of collecting trash from neighbours and relatives to deliver them to the "Drive Throw" point, bringing bags loaded with plastic bottles and cardboard.
    Some users of the service can donate trash-generated money to local charities supporting the elderly, and cancer patients of food banks.
    Lebanon Waste Management, hiring more than 25 workers, is one of several facilities offering trash for cash to people amid the country's severe financial crisis that has left eight in 10 people poor.
    (Production: Issam Abdallah)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2022. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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