In 2003, with help from LIFE (EU financial instrument) and AECID (Spanish Agency for International Cooperation and Development), arcenciel developed a network for Infectious Healthcare Waste (IHCW) to better address the untreated combustion and disposal of infectious hospital waste.

Since then, arcenciel has developed a hospital waste management guide in collaboration with the French Development Agency (AFD).

Today, the network treats more than 80% of the health care waste generated in Lebanon.

HOW IT WORKS 

arcenciel provides training for staff, IHCW collection and waste treatment in 3 centers spread throughout Lebanon. Infectious waste is transformed into regular solid waste by a steam shredding and sterilizing method.

This work was done in close collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Public Health, the Syndicate of Hospitals and healthcare institutions, and municipalities.

HOW IT IS SUSTAINABLE

arcenciel’s hospital waste management program has created jobs for more than 50 people in difficulty (former prisoners, former addicts, etc.) enabling them to socially reintegrate.

It helped establish a culture of environmental and social responsibility within healthcare facilities, previously unaccustomed to sustainable waste management.

arcenciel encourages a “polluter pays” principle to focus on hospitals’ environmental and social accountability for infectious waste.

For more information: 01495561 ext. 1321