After the closure in July 2015 of the Naamé landfill that served the city of Beirut, a “garbage crisis” broke out in the Lebanese capital, leading to a deep reflection on waste management. While civil society is mobilizing to obtain a sustainable and more efficient management, many initiatives are emerging in the municipalities of Lebanon. Shady Sadek, founder of Runwaste, has long been a fervent promoter of recycling. After launching the aluminum can recycling project “Mister-Tanak”, he created in 2014 the Runwaste company, specialized in solid waste management.

The Mister-Tanak operation, initiated in 2010, had a dual objective: to collect aluminum cans for recycling, but above all to raise awareness, especially among young people, about the importance of waste sorting. Several compactors, imported from France, were placed in universities, schools, hotels and restaurants. The cans are 100% recyclable, infinitely. In addition to the savings in terms of raw materials and energy, it is estimated that the collection of one ton of cans reduces CO2 emissions by 9 tons.

With the creation of Runwaste in 2014, the initial project has expanded and the company now collects all kinds of recyclable waste from municipalities and large companies. To encourage its partners, Runwaste issues a certificate indicating the CO2 savings in relation to the amount of waste collected. But to ensure its growth and meet the growing needs of municipalities, the company now wants to equip itself with larger collection trucks and create a waste sorting center.

In Lebanon, waste recycling is still underdeveloped. Yet, while preserving the environment, this sector generates economic opportunities and creates jobs. Runwaste wishes to participate in the growth of the sector while continuing to practice a fair wage policy for its workers. Eventually, the company also plans to integrate Syrian refugees into its teams.