Keeling Curve

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Project Summary / Description:

Since 2015, Lebanon has been suffering from a solid waste crisis. A major reason for this is the unclear strategy of waste collection and treatment. Usually, the solid waste (50-70% of it organic), is left to decompose in open air or landfills where anaerobic fermentation takes place and produces methane and ammonia emissions. Furthermore, the excessive use of fertilizer in the Bekaa agricultural area has caused soil deterioration and loss of organic matter. Most of the compost used by the Lebanese farmers is imported, and the demand for local, cheaper, and better product is high. Therefore, arcenciel has started this project to collect organic waste, such as household waste and manure and transform it into high-quality compost to restore the agricultural soil in the area.

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Best Estimate of GHG Avoidance/Reduction of This Project (Tonnes CO2 Equivalent/Year):

Impact on Underrepresented Groups:

At arcenciel our policy has always been to be as inclusive as possible since the start. Over the past thirty years, we have made it our mission to work for and with every person with difficulties, whether physical, mental or social; and to socially integrate the vulnerable and marginalized people in Lebanon. We try to give everyone the opportunity to work and be productive members of society, that is why we encourage people with difficulties to work in our organization and have a policy to never discriminate based on gender, religion, national or ethnic origin, disability, age or sexual preferences. This project will support our efforts to enhance gender diversity as both men and women are involved as lead researchers and team members, and we are committed to adapting the working environment and create the necessary conditions and atmosphere for all of the team members of this project, and of the organization more broadly, to thrive in their tasks and be given responsibilities and opportunities.
Moreover, this project is perfectly in line with arcenciel‚ commitment to sustainable development and to our social enterprise business model. First, we‚ re planning on the project to be self-sustainable since we will produce a grade A compost with minimum losses and expenses and minimum use of energy (electricity from solar panels and low use of fuel) and sell it to farmers and thereby fulfilling their need for a cheaper, better quality and locally produced compost rather than the options they have to use now who imported from Europe and rarely adapted to the specificities of Lebanese soil. Besides, our project will also involve local actors since we will be collecting the organic waste locally, most of which is currently not being treated; and we encourage collaborations between the private sector, NGOs and academic research since we designed the improved in-vessel technique with the Universit Saint Joseph in Beirut and assembled the Drum system with a company based in the Bekaa.

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