Economic meltdown drives some Lebanese to collect recyclables for a living
Lebanon’s increasing poverty and lack of jobs drive desperate people to live off of selling collected recycled materials in kilos to scrapyards, shops and manufacturers.
Since the economic crisis began in Lebanon in 2019, collecting plastic, cardboard, iron and anything suitable for recycling and remanufacturing has become a common profession in areas like Tripoli, Bekaa, Saida and Beirut.
Inflated prices of imported materials mean that manufacturers and buyers are constantly looking for raw materials on the domestic market, as it saves them dollars since they do not have to pay for imported goods that are priced under the black market rate. This allows them to raise their profits as products sold in the domestic market are cheaper than imported products that often require payments in cash dollars.
Some environmental experts say this can enhance sustainability in the production process and promote a circular economy while helping some people earn an income.
Environmental consultant and engineer Tamara Ghanem told Al-Monitor, “This rising trend is basically trash for cash and is helping those in poverty who are desperate to earn something.”
