The Normandy landfill: a case study in solid waste management

Sadek, S. and El-Fadel, M. (2000) The Normandy landfill: a case study in solid waste management. Journal of Natural Resources & Life Sciences Education, 29, 155-161.

Abstract

The Normandy Landfill is a by-product of the Lebanese civil strife (1975-1990). During those years, the city of Beirut discarded about 1090 Mg/d (1.200 t/d) of its municipal waste in the Normandy Bay along the Mediterranean coast. After the civil war, the general area of the fill became popular real estate because of its location at the historic and economic center of Beirut. Economic incentives pushed planners of the reconstruction effort to envisage reclaiming the fill area and develop it as an extension of the central business district. This decision was controversial from the outset and was not met with great enthusiasm in many quarters, particularly given its socio-political implications. Proponents of development stated that it would provide many environmental and economic benefits to the area in terms of job creation and elimination of health hazards associated with the existing landfill. Opponents argued that the historic coastline of Beirut should be rehabilitated to its original status, and that the cost of the newly reclaimed real estate would be prohibitive and would only result in the creation of a wealthy enclave, which would be inaccessible to the majority of the population. Despite opposition, the Council for Development and Reconstruction, the final decision maker regarding the development of the Central Business District of Beirut, adopted a policy aiming to reclaim and expand the fill area. The council was to decide the best reclamation alternative for the landfill, taking into consideration socio-economic factors as well as technical aspects

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