Environmental Ministry Statement on Chemicals at Zouk and Jieh Plants

Issued by the Ministry of Environment, a clarifying statement regarding expired chemicals located at the Zouk and Jieh plants belonging to Lebanon's Electricity Public Authority, stated:

"In light of ongoing media and social media discussions concerning expired chemicals belonging to Lebanon's Electricity Public Authority, it is important for the Ministry of Environment to clarify the following:

First: Regarding responsibility for managing expired chemicals:

According to applicable legal provisions, Lebanon's Electricity Public Authority, as both the producer and owner of the expired chemicals located at the Zouk and Jieh plants, bears the legal and technical responsibility for managing these materials, including their storage, transportation, treatment, selection of appropriate technical solutions, risk management, and taking necessary measures to ensure that treatment operations are carried out in accordance with established environmental standards, thereby preventing any harm to environmental elements. This is done in compliance with the 'polluter pays' principle stipulated in Article 4 of Law No. 444 dated 29/7/2002 on Environmental Protection, which mandates that the polluter bear the costs of preventive measures, pollution control, and mitigation. It also aligns with the provisions of Article 8 of Law No. 80 dated 10/10/2018 on Integrated Management of Solid Waste, which states that the polluter must bear the costs of managing their solid waste, as well as the costs of measures required to address problems arising from or potentially arising from such waste.

Second: Regarding the methodology for treating expired chemicals:

The Ministry of Environment wishes to emphasize initially that the expired chemicals located at the Zouk and Jieh plants, intended for treatment, are non-explosive according to their safety data sheets.

Furthermore, in accordance with its regulatory decree, international environmental agreements, and applicable laws and regulations, the Ministry determines the environmental conditions for the disposal of spoiled or expired materials. The producer or owner of the waste is responsible for submitting a proposed scientific methodology for either local treatment or off-site shipment and treatment abroad, in compliance with the Basel Convention.

In this context, no official request accompanied by a properly prepared export dossier under the provisions of the Basel Convention has been received by the Ministry of Environment to date for the shipment of expired chemicals belonging to Lebanon's Electricity Public Authority. Only one request was submitted in 2024 for local treatment of these materials.

Given that the Basel Convention requires contracting parties to take appropriate measures to prevent the transboundary movement of hazardous or other wastes when the exporting country possesses the necessary technical capabilities, facilities, means, or suitable sites for environmentally sound disposal, the Ministry of Environment reviewed the request submitted by Lebanon's Electricity Public Authority for local treatment, along with documents provided by the company TECMO s.a.l., particularly the Method Statement prepared by the German company BLACKFOREST and verified by Professor Roger Lattouf from Saint Joseph University, relating to the treatment of these chemicals.

The Ministry expressed its technical observations on the file. After incorporating the required amendments, it granted approval as follows:

• Regarding Rodine, Hydrogel, Sodium Metasilicate, and Resin materials: The Ministry of Environment approved their treatment in accordance with the scientific methodology outlined in the Method Statement, particularly concerning Leachability Testing on the materials after incineration. The Ministry also approved the use of the Zahle Municipal Landfill – Malaq and Taanayel for treating these materials, provided that TECMO s.a.l. secures written confirmation from the landfill authority agreeing to receive this waste. Following a subsequent letter from Zahle Municipality retracting its approval, the Ministry informed TECMO s.a.l. of the necessity to find an alternative solution in compliance with applicable regulations.

• Regarding Trisodium Phosphate: The Ministry of Environment approved the scientific methodology detailed in the Method Statement for treating this material and converting it into fertilizer, to be used by Mr. Farouk Merad on his private agricultural land, not transported to the Bserri marshland. The Ministry also requested input from the Ministry of Agriculture, as the competent authority regarding the use of this substance once converted into fertilizer on private farmland. Therefore, if any of these chemicals cannot be treated locally in accordance with approved methodologies, alternative solutions must be found or the materials must be exported in compliance with established procedures.

• Regarding asbestos waste: Given the lack of adequate infrastructure in Lebanon to treat this type of waste in accordance with established environmental standards, the owner of these materials—Lebanon's Electricity Public Authority—is required to export them to a country possessing the necessary infrastructure and technologies for their proper treatment and environmentally sound disposal. To date, no formal application for such export has been submitted to the Ministry of Environment.

The Ministry of Environment emphasizes that any approval or permit issued by it within the scope of its legal authority does not exempt the owner or producer of the waste from their legal and technical responsibilities.

The Ministry further stresses that any violation of existing environmental legislation, particularly the provisions of Law No. 64 dated 12/8/1988, Law No. 444 dated 29/7/2002 on Environmental Protection, and Law No. 80 dated 10/10/2018, exposes the violating party to the penalties and sanctions prescribed in these laws, without prejudice to any other legal responsibilities that may arise under applicable procedures.

Given ongoing coordination with the Ministry of Justice, which referred the file to the Public Prosecution, which has taken action accordingly, the Ministry of Environment affirms that if any delay, negligence, violation, or damage results from failure to manage, treat, or dispose of these materials in accordance with established environmental standards, the responsible party shall be held accountable under applicable laws.

In this context, the Ministry calls upon Lebanon's Electricity Public Authority to uphold the highest standards of accuracy and responsibility when issuing any media statements or positions, especially concerning administrative and legal procedures, which should clearly and explicitly define powers and responsibilities, placing each party before its respective obligations under established procedures. The Ministry reiterates that media statements do not create facts nor alter them, and in no way can they obscure or diminish the established and documented truths contained in official records and documents.

The Ministry also appeals to media outlets not to exploit the tragedy of the Beirut Port explosion—its human and material losses and catastrophic national repercussions—in comparisons unsupported by facts or scientific data, which would unjustifiably elevate other files to the level of that disaster. Respecting truth, accurate description, and responsibility in reporting events remain professional and ethical duties, especially when addressing issues affecting public interest and citizens' rights.

Finally, the Ministry reaffirms its commitment to protecting the environment and its integrity, strictly enforcing environmental legislation without compromise, and cooperating with all relevant parties to achieve safe and sustainable solutions."