Solid waste management in Beirut and Mount Lebanon: Opportunities for integrating the informal sector

Solid waste management in Lebanon faces persistent challenges, including limited infrastructure, weak policy reinforcement, and the exclusion of the informal sector who play an important role in resource recovery and the waste management system. This thesis explores the current waste management systems in the Beirut Mount Lebanon (BML) region, the role of the informal sector and examines different modalities of integration as well as the role of policies in enabling a more inclusive approach. The modalities include the incremental improvement approach, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system integration, decentralization, and public-private partnerships. A qualitative approach was used, combining semi-structured interviews with different stakeholders in the waste value chain including waste pickers, with analysis of Solid Waste Management (SWM) policies and frameworks. Literature reviews and examples from different regions of the world and contexts are discussed to support the findings of the thesis. The research underscores that Lebanon's existing legal framework provides a foundation for integration but requires consistent implementation, stronger coordination among stakeholders, and targeted policies to protect informal workers. Integrating the informal sector can enhance sustainability, improve waste management efficiency, and improve livelihoods.