The United States, through USAID, partners with Notre Dame University and Municipality of Bechmizzine to enhance recyclable waste management for more than 103,000 residents across 18 villages in Koura

The United States, through USAID, partners with Notre Dame University and Municipality of Bechmizzine to enhance recyclable waste management for more than 103,000 residents across 18 villages in Koura

NNA - On April 3, 2024, USAID Lebanon#39;s Mission Director Julie Southfield and the Minister of Environment Dr. Nasser Yassine visited the Notre Dame University (NDU) North campus in Barsa and the Bechmizzine Material Recovery Facility in Koura to observe USAID#39;s support to both entities through the Community Support Program. This assistance, valued at $379,465 in U.S. funding, is significantly improving recyclable waste management for over 103,000 residents. Since October 2022, USAID#39;s assistance has enabled BMRF to recover more than 428 tons of recyclables, increased its collection capacity by 270%, and boosted its revenue by 40%, while also mitigating public health hazards by reducing toxic smoke from burning recyclables.

The visit started at the NDU campus in Barsa, featuring a tour of students#39; quot;sorting-at-sourcequot; awareness activities, and concluded at the BMRF, where USAID#39;s Community Support Program completed the facility#39;s expansion in March 2024.

Reflecting on the initiative, USAID#39;s Mission Director to Lebanon stated: quot;USAID will continue to take ambitious action, in coordination with all of you, to encourage recyclables recovery as part of sound solid waste management and to achieve sustainable development results for people and the environmentquot;. The Minister of Environment emphasized the importance of such interventions in fostering a circular