As more people begin to see recycling not just as a civic duty but also as a way to earn cash or support charitable causes, the culture around waste in Lebanon is shifting towards a long-term opportunity
In recent years, recycling initiatives have gained momentum in Lebanon as citizens grow increasingly aware of the environmental and economic importance of waste management. With the government slow to implement effective solutions, individuals and private organizations have stepped in, launching innovative programs that reward people for sorting and recycling their waste. From drive-thru recycling centers to tech-based apps like Yalla Return, these initiatives are turning trash into opportunity.
As more people begin to see recycling not just as a civic duty but also as a way to earn cash or support charitable causes, the culture around waste is shifting and these grassroots efforts are proving they’re not just temporary fixes, but part of a lasting solution.
Lebanon has been grappling with a severe waste crisis for many years, one that has worsened significantly in recent times and now stands among the country’s most pressing environmental challenges.
The root causes of the country’s waste crises are multiple, including the absence of clear waste management strategies, a lack of proper treatment facilities, and the country’s economic collapse, along with the lack of cooperation between the government, civil society, and the private sector.
As the waste crisis has not improved, some citizens have taken matters into their own hands by launching grassroots initiatives like starting waste recycling businesses to help mitigate the problem.
In Lebanon, organizations and businesses are increasingly leveraging social media to promote recycling and “trash for cash” initiatives, turning platforms like Instagram and TikTok into hubs for environmental awareness and action.
“We never used to recycle like, ever,” says Nour, a 23-year-old university student living with three roommates in Beirut. “We honestly didn’t think it made any real difference, and we definitely didn’t know you could get paid for it.”
That all changed when she stumbled across videos from accounts like Recyco-Recycling and Jay Recycle on Instagram. “At first I thought it was just one of those propaganda posts, but then I saw how real and consistent they were, even showing people a breakdown of what to sort, where to take it, and even showing the cash transactions.
Accounts such as Recyco-Recycling and Jay Recycle are examples of using social media platforms to promote awareness on recycling in Lebanon, using engaging and informative videos to show people how they can turn their household waste, like plastic and cardboard, into profit.
Their content is helping to reshape public perception of waste, especially among younger audiences, by proving that recycling is not just for environmental purposes but also a viable economic opportunity.
“Now we drop them off once a week, and we’ve actually started making a little money back. It’s not huge, but it feels good to do something useful with our waste, and it’s changed the way we think about trash completely,” said Nour.
Vision of the waste management sector
Lebanon’s waste management challenges remain urgent and complex, with the country generating an estimated 2.57 million tons of solid waste annually, according to the Draft National Integrated Solid Waste Management Strategy.
Over 85 per cent of the waste is collected, yet only a small fraction is recycled or composted, with the rest either dumped in landfills or open sites, many of which are environmentally unsustainable.
The report highlights the critical need to shift toward more integrated and decentralized waste management systems, with a stronger emphasis on recycling, composting, and energy recovery. It also emphasizes the importance of public engagement and awareness, noting that successful waste reduction efforts depend heavily on citizens adopting sorting practices at the source.
While progress has been slow at the governmental level, grassroots and private sector initiatives are stepping in to fill the gap, offering both environmental and economic incentives to encourage recycling across communities.
Example of some of the initiatives from experts and creatives in the field
Trash for vouchers: Yalla Return turns waste into Rewards
The economic crisis has completely changed how many Lebanese view waste. What was once seen as garbage is now a source of income for many.
“Users of these initiatives generally fall into three categories: those who are environmentally conscious, those who want to donate their rewards to charity, and those who are looking for a financial boost,” according to a spokesperson from Yalla Return.
Amid Lebanon’s ongoing crises and with the state largely absent from environmental responsibility or efforts to promote recycling, the burden has fallen on citizens.
Their awareness and willingness to act have become a key factor in mitigating the waste crisis, turning trash into a resource that can benefit both individuals and the broader community.
Yalla Return, developed by the Lebanese waste management startup Nadeera, is a tech-driven initiative designed to tackle Lebanon’s mounting waste crisis by making recycling more accessible, rewarding, and community-driven.
The mobile app of Yalla Return guides users on how to properly sort recyclable materials like plastic and aluminum. Once sorted, individuals can drop off their waste at designated collection points or containers, often located within residential buildings or neighborhoods. In return, users earn credits based on the type and quantity of materials they recycle, which can then be redeemed for cash, shopping vouchers, or donated to local charities.
“By combining environmental action with tangible incentives, Yalla Return is not only addressing gaps in Lebanon’s waste infrastructure but also reshaping public attitudes toward recycling, particularly among younger, tech-savvy users,” Marwan Abou Dehn, waste management consultant who works in Dubai on different waste strategies and recycling systems.
Cash for trash: Drive-thru recycling initiative in Lebanon
In 2019, Lebanon Waste Management was founded as an effort to help tackle the country’s mounting waste crisis. “In 2022, we launched our ‘Drive-Thru’ initiative, which allows people to exchange their garbage for money, without even leaving their cars,” says environmental activist and founder Pierre Baaklini.
He explains that the idea stemmed from a frustrating reality where many citizens were throwing trash out of their car windows, with little regard for the environment or the importance of waste sorting. “So we thought, why not flip the script and get people to toss their waste into a recycling facility instead, and get paid for it?”
According to Pierre, recycling culture in Lebanon is finally gaining ground after being virtually non-existent.
Rodayna Raydan is a Lebanese-British journalist. You can follow her on Twitter @Rodayna_462
The views in this story reflect those of the author alone and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs of NOW.
