Lebanese Civil Society combating for a plastic free Mediterranean Sea #BalaPlasticLubnan

• Budget: € 994,993
• Location: Lebanon’s coastline
• Date of project: June 2018 – May 2020
• Implementing Partner: Lebanon Eco Movement, Lebanese Environment Forum

Lebanon’s most important land-based sources of marine pollution from plastics include waste from building and construction, household goods, tourism, food and drink packaging, electronics, agriculture, uncontrolled landfilling and illegal open dumping located on the coast. Due to a poor management of solid and other wastes by the national and local governments, the issue of sea pollution was further exacerbated, affecting wide segments of the Lebanese population. Groups and individuals making a living from the sea were the primary victims, including fishermen, sea salt producers, owners of private beaches, hotels and tourism resorts, as well as marine natural reserves.

Marine litter has also had a severe impact on the tourism sector, which was once a primary driving force for the country’s economy. As pollution of the sea with waste and untreated wastewater increases, Lebanon is losing much of its appeal as a seaside and coastal destination, both for foreigners and local citizens. Furthermore, toxins from the littered plastics have started contaminating the food chain, ultimately threatening people’s health.

The European Union is committed to protecting, preserving and enhancing Lebanon’s environment and protecting its biodiversity. To this end, it supports the civil society, the academia and all key stakeholders in fighting environmental decay, human-generated waste and sea pollution.