ZIAD ABI CHAKER
Pioneering Sustainable Solutions: The Story of an Environmental Engineer in Lebanon
As an environmental and industrial engineer (@ziad_abichaker), my passion for waste management and sustainability was ignited during my second year at Rutgers University in New Jersey. Even as a young student, I was determined to find ways to tackle the waste problem and reduce our reliance on landfills and incinerators. I was educated on the principles of zero waste to landfill, and that philosophy became the driving force behind my career path.
In 1996, I returned to Lebanon with the goal of making a difference in my home country. I had already founded Cedar Environmental in New Jersey, and now I was determined to create change in Lebanon. However, it was not an easy journey. Waste management in the country is not just an environmental issue; it is deeply intertwined with politics and corruption.
At the outset of this endeavor, my team and I encountered multiple obstacles in establishing a green enterprise. We were shut out of government grants and funding due to our private sector status, while corrupt practices monopolized waste management contracts, leaving no room for competition. Despite the hurdles, we remained innovative and determined to outsmart the system.
We started by offering cleaning services for yard waste management, but our true passion lay in building recycling plants on a community level. Our focus was to work with several municipalities together and introduce composting technology, in which we hold a patent. It was a small step, but it laid the foundation for greater projects to come.
One of our most significant successes was bringing composting into the mainstream in Lebanon. This eco-friendly method of waste management gained traction and helped create awareness about sustainable practices. Additionally, our innovative Eco-board technology, which recycles plastic bags and other types of plastic, furthered our commitment to recycling and reducing plastic waste.
It was not just about creating profitable ventures; I wanted to make a positive impact beyond the business realm. In the face of the 2015 waste crisis, when garbage piled up on the streets of Lebanon due to mismanagement and corruption, we stepped up to help. We initiated an initiative called “Green Glass Recycling for Lebanon,” which saved the jobs of glass blowers and recycled millions of beer bottles. We even collected shattered glass from the tragic Beirut explosion in 2020 and transformed it into meaningful artifacts, supporting local artisans and bringing a sense of hope to the community.
Throughout my journey, I have remained dedicated to pushing for change, even when it seemed like an uphill battle. I have also become an advocate against corruption in the waste management sector, working to expose and challenge the established monopoly that continues to plague Lebanon’s progress. Furthermore, I recommend that individuals intrigued by this domain to view my Talks, which aim to contribute to a broader collective understanding of diverse topics, promote positive change, and foster a sense of connection and curiosity.
In the midst of these challenges, I have found inspiration and motivation in my love for the work and the belief that I can make a difference. I have learned to balance my passion for the environment with the need for self-care, finding solace in nature, travel, and cooking. My mission remains to push for sustainability, food security, and a brighter future for Lebanon.
Looking forward, I am excited about upcoming projects, such as developing liquid fertilizers from waste materials and promoting vertical farming to enhance food security. I believe that self-sufficiency in essential sectors like wheat, meat, and bread is crucial for Lebanon’s prosperity and resilience. While Lebanon faces many uncertainties and challenges, I remain hopeful that the current system, built on corruption and mismanagement, will crumble, making way for positive change and progress, which will contribute to a more sustainable and prosperous Lebanon for generations to come.
As an environmental and industrial engineer (@ziad_abichaker), my passion for waste management and sustainability was ignited during my second year at Rutgers University in New Jersey. Even as a young student, I was determined to find ways to tackle the waste problem and reduce our reliance on landfills and incinerators. I was educated on the principles of zero waste to landfill, and that philosophy became the driving force behind my career path.
In 1996, I returned to Lebanon with the goal of making a difference in my home country. I had already founded Cedar Environmental in New Jersey, and now I was determined to create change in Lebanon. However, it was not an easy journey. Waste management in the country is not just an environmental issue; it is deeply intertwined with politics and corruption.
We started by offering cleaning services for yard waste management, but our true passion lay in building recycling plants on a community level. Our focus was to work with several municipalities together and introduce composting technology, in which we hold a patent. It was a small step, but it laid the foundation for greater projects to come.
One of our most significant successes was bringing composting into the mainstream in Lebanon. This eco-friendly method of waste management gained traction and helped create awareness about sustainable practices. Additionally, our innovative Eco-board technology, which recycles plastic bags and other types of plastic, furthered our commitment to recycling and reducing plastic waste.
It was not just about creating profitable ventures; I wanted to make a positive impact beyond the business realm. In the face of the 2015 waste crisis, when garbage piled up on the streets of Lebanon due to mismanagement and corruption, we stepped up to help. We initiated an initiative called “Green Glass Recycling for Lebanon,” which saved the jobs of glass blowers and recycled millions of beer bottles. We even collected shattered glass from the tragic Beirut explosion in 2020 and transformed it into meaningful artifacts, supporting local artisans and bringing a sense of hope to the community.
Throughout my journey, I have remained dedicated to pushing for change, even when it seemed like an uphill battle. I have also become an advocate against corruption in the waste management sector, working to expose and challenge the established monopoly that continues to plague Lebanon’s progress. Furthermore, I recommend that individuals intrigued by this domain to view my Talks, which aim to contribute to a broader collective understanding of diverse topics, promote positive change, and foster a sense of connection and curiosity.
In the midst of these challenges, I have found inspiration and motivation in my love for the work and the belief that I can make a difference. I have learned to balance my passion for the environment with the need for self-care, finding solace in nature, travel, and cooking. My mission remains to push for sustainability, food security, and a brighter future for Lebanon.
Looking forward, I am excited about upcoming projects, such as developing liquid fertilizers from waste materials and promoting vertical farming to enhance food security. I believe that self-sufficiency in essential sectors like wheat, meat, and bread is crucial for Lebanon’s prosperity and resilience. While Lebanon faces many uncertainties and challenges, I remain hopeful that the current system, built on corruption and mismanagement, will crumble, making way for positive change and progress, which will contribute to a more sustainable and prosperous Lebanon for generations to come.
As an environmental and industrial engineer (@ziad_abichaker), my passion for waste management and sustainability was ignited during my second year at Rutgers University in New Jersey. Even as a young student, I was determined to find ways to tackle the waste problem and reduce our reliance on landfills and incinerators. I was educated on the principles of zero waste to landfill, and that philosophy became the driving force behind my career path.
In 1996, I returned to Lebanon with the goal of making a difference in my home country. I had already founded Cedar Environmental in New Jersey, and now I was determined to create change in Lebanon. However, it was not an easy journey. Waste management in the country is not just an environmental issue; it is deeply intertwined with politics and corruption.
At the outset of this endeavor, my team and I encountered multiple obstacles in establishing a green enterprise. We were shut out of government grants and funding due to our private sector status, while corrupt practices monopolized waste management contracts, leaving no room for competition. Despite the hurdles, we remained innovative and determined to outsmart the system.
We started by offering cleaning services for yard waste management, but our true passion lay in building recycling plants on a community level. Our focus was to work with several municipalities together and introduce composting technology, in which we hold a patent. It was a small step, but it laid the foundation for greater projects to come.
One of our most significant successes was bringing composting into the mainstream in Lebanon. This eco-friendly method of waste management gained traction and helped create awareness about sustainable practices. Additionally, our innovative Eco-board technology, which recycles plastic bags and other types of plastic, furthered our commitment to recycling and reducing plastic waste.
It was not just about creating profitable ventures; I wanted to make a positive impact beyond the business realm. In the face of the 2015 waste crisis, when garbage piled up on the streets of Lebanon due to mismanagement and corruption, we stepped up to help. We initiated an initiative called “Green Glass Recycling for Lebanon,” which saved the jobs of glass blowers and recycled millions of beer bottles. We even collected shattered glass from the tragic Beirut explosion in 2020 and transformed it into meaningful artifacts, supporting local artisans and bringing a sense of hope to the community.
Throughout my journey, I have remained dedicated to pushing for change, even when it seemed like an uphill battle. I have also become an advocate against corruption in the waste management sector, working to expose and challenge the established monopoly that continues to plague Lebanon’s progress. Furthermore, I recommend that individuals intrigued by this domain to view my Talks, which aim to contribute to a broader collective understanding of diverse topics, promote positive change, and foster a sense of connection and curiosity.
In the midst of these challenges, I have found inspiration and motivation in my love for the work and the belief that I can make a difference. I have learned to balance my passion for the environment with the need for self-care, finding solace in nature, travel, and cooking. My mission remains to push for sustainability, food security, and a brighter future for Lebanon.
Looking forward, I am excited about upcoming projects, such as developing liquid fertilizers from waste materials and promoting vertical farming to enhance food security. I believe that self-sufficiency in essential sectors like wheat, meat, and bread is crucial for Lebanon’s prosperity and resilience. While Lebanon faces many uncertainties and challenges, I remain hopeful that the current system, built on corruption and mismanagement, will crumble, making way for positive change and progress, which will contribute to a more sustainable and prosperous Lebanon for generations to come.
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Karen Kawkab
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Karen Kawkab
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Karen Kawkab
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Karen Kawkab
