Mohamad Habhab | Staff Writer

Lebanon has a rich history of dealing with the rubble left behind by the destructive wars it has faced. From the civil war to the Israeli hostilities, as well as disastrous events like the 2020 Port Explosion, these crises have left the country in disarray and uncertainty. It often feels as if the people are merely waiting for the next major disaster to strike. One would expect this level of concern to translate into a preemptive plan for managing future catastrophes. Given this context, how did Lebanon handle the aftermath of rubble from past wars? Following this war, how will the country deal with the latest debris crisis, and what steps must be taken to avoid repeating the failures of the past?

Previous Dealings with Rubble

The aftermath of the civil war left Beirut buried under 5 to 7 million cubic meters of debris. In response, large amounts of this rubble were dumped into the sea, reclaiming approximately 600,000 square meters of land along Beirut’s coastline. Locations including the Normandy Landfill were later transformed into prime real estate for lucrative developments. A similar pattern emerged after the 2006 war, which devastated southern Lebanon and Beirut’s southern suburbs (Dahiyeh), generating approximately 6 million tons of debris. Again, much of this waste was dumped along the coast. The Costa Brava landfill site alone received around 3 million cubic meters of debris, paving the way for further high-end construction projects. Although the Beirut Port explosion caused less destruction than previous wars, leaving behind an estimated 300,000 to 800,000 tons of debris, the situation was handled even more poorly. Unlike before, much of the rubble was dumped in unknown locations, with no clear purpose or safe disposal measures.

This continuous dumping of debris into the sea has severe consequences, including environmental degradation, the destruction of marine ecosystems, and the contamination of water sources with hazardous materials such as asbestos, chemicals, and heavy metals. Public health risks have increased due to exposure to toxic substances, while the excessive demand for gravel and cement, caused by the failure to recycle debris, has intensified quarry excavation and cement production. This in turn has further depleted resources and damaged landscapes. Additionally, improper waste disposal weakens coastal land, increasing the risk of infrastructure collapse and environmental instability. The National reports, “Dumping debris disrupts marine ecosystems, destroys habitats, and contaminates water with hazardous materials. Additionally, failing to recycle debris intensifies the demand for gravel and cement, accelerating quarry excavation and cement production. This further depletes resources, damages geographic landscapes, and exacerbates emissions.”

The Rubble Left by the Latest War

The latest war has expanded the range of destruction far beyond Southern Lebanon and Dahiyeh. Areas also affected include Baalbek, Nabatiyeh, and other villages of the Beqaa region. This has generated an unprecedented 50 to 100 million tons of debris, which is an enormous amount compared to previous conflicts. The scale of destruction presents Lebanon with a far more complex challenge in cleanup and reconstruction. One major obstacle is the lack of proper infrastructure for systematically recycling Construction and Demolition Waste (CDW). Without such facilities, the government has no alternative but to continue reckless dumping, which is no longer a viable option.

A circular approach to CDW management could transform the crisis into an opportunity by reintroducing repurposed materials into the production cycle. This method would maximize resource efficiency and create economic benefits while seamlessly reintegrating CDW into construction material, such as masonry blocks and road aggregates. Non-recyclable waste could be used for quarry rehabilitation, compensating for decades of environmental damage. Additionally, ecosystem restoration would contribute to improved public health, economic growth, tourism, and biodiversity. A closed-loop recycling model for CDW, in which debris is sorted, cleaned, and repurposed for new construction or industrial applications, could ensure that materials are fully reclaimed and reused, natural ecosystems are protected, and unnecessary extraction of raw materials is avoided.

To successfully implement this strategy, the Lebanese government must take decisive action by integrating municipalities and key stakeholders to prevent illegal dumping. The government should also establish strong partnerships with private sector entrepreneurs to create jobs and attract investment and enforce strict monitoring mechanisms to prevent corruption in waste management and recycling. With proper oversight, Lebanon could finally develop a long-term strategy for managing not only the rubble from this war, but also future disasters such as earthquakes.

Sources:

https://www.thenationalnews.com/opinion/comment/2025/03/19/lebanon-needs-a-plan-to-properly-dispose-the-debris-of-war/

https://www.aub.edu.lb/natureconservation/Documents/CDW%20Policy%20Brief_English_Edition%202.pdf