If you're a US-resident or any entity /individual that files a USA tax return your donation is tax-deductible. Please donate here

if you are a NOT a resident of the USA, please donate here

Preloader icon circle

Sustainable Agriculture and Environment

Our Mission

The Sustainable Agriculture and Environment program uses technological innovation to responsibly draw upon natural resources for the benefit of present and future generations.

 

The program manages the Domaine de Taanayel, a plot of land 2.3km2 in size, that pioneers sustainable agriculture in the region.  This Domaine runs nearly exclusively on solar energy, streamlines fertigation (an irrigation system that injects water soluble fertilizer into crop water) and is the only producer of natural biopesticides in the region.

 

The program addresses environmental concerns through a wide range of activities and institutions. It conducts awareness and training sessions on environmental responsibility, runs secondary waste sorting centers, and treats hazardous hospital waste.

 

In 2003, the program set up a network that now treats over 80%
of Lebanon’s hospital waste. It has since become a key player
in determining Lebanon’s Waste Management Strategy.

History

  1. Launching of Hospital Waste Program

    With the launch of its new program in 2003, arcenciel begins treating Potentially Infectious Healthcare Waste (PIHCW). The program directly protects Lebanon’s environment and people from waste-related health issues.

  2. Managing the Domaine de Taanayel, a partnership with the Jesuit fathers

    arcenciel begins handling and managing Domaine de Taanayel, a 560 acres plot of land that conserves local biodiversity and provides a small natural park for its worldwide visitors.

  3. Strategic Waste Management System & Biopesticide Research and Development (BT)

    Work begins on recycling waste in Lebanon. arcenciel collects plastic, paper and metal throughout the country and drops them for sorting at arcenciel centers strategically located in every corner of Lebanon.

     

    arcenciel begins research to create the first biopesticide in the MENA region. Le Biop is specifically tailored to meet the specific needs of the Lebanese ecosystem. It is designed not to harm human beings or microorganisms.

  4. Responding to the waste crisis and supporting municipalities

    In response to the environmental waste crisis that began summer of 2015, arcenciel publishes a manual on how people and municipalities can effectively manage their waste. arcenciel also trains, raises awareness and prepares municipalities to implement their own waste management centers.

Activities

Sorting Centers for Recyclable Waste

arcenciel created a national strategy for waste management and opened two secondary sorting centers in Lebanon (Taanayel and Baabda). This was done in order to sort large amounts of the country's waste.
For more information: 01495561 ext. 1413 or 1320

Hospital Waste Treatment Centers

arcenciel runs hospital waste treatment centers spread throughout every corner of Lebanon. The centers treat over 80% of Lebanon’s PIHCW (Potentially Infectious Healthcare Waste).

Agricultural Establishment of Taanayel (EAT)

Located in the middle of the Bekaa valley, on a 560 acres plot of land, EAT combines a wide range of agricultural activities in one location. The Domaine de Taanayel acts as a hub for the region's pilot projects, collaborations, and innovations.
For more information : 08-543105 543107 543108

La Laiterie du Couvent de Taanayel

The dairy farm, or malbana, is the showcase of the Domaine of Taanayel; it produces preservative-free dairy products using the milk provided on EAT land. For more information: 08540066 

Fayy: Rooftop Garden

arcenciel developed its own rooftop garden in the Jisr el Bacha offices. Using old pipes and a drip irrigation system, arcenciel is able to produce a wide range of vegetables all year long!
For more information: 01495561 ext. 1417

Projects

  • Promoting economic justice through a local producers’ market in Hazmieh, Lebanon
    In collaboration with the Ajuntament de Barcelona, the project strives to enhance economic and environmental justice by uplifting vulnerable farmers in Hazmieh, Lebanon, through initiatives like establishing a local market and providing essential training. Over two years, the project aims to fortify the socio-economic recovery of groups disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, fostering resilience and sustainable livelihoods.
  • Mitigate the impact of food insecurity in local communities by strengthening the capacities of local producers
    Aiming to support reliable solution findings of previously faced challenges in food production through innovation, the project will support within the “Agro-Food Innovation Hub” a research and development component in collaboration with universities and key agents in this field. This will help promote entrepreneurship and support product development while ideas will be transformed into viable businesses. The call for applications is open!
  • Retrofitting of public buildings through green technologies and processes (RE-FIT)
    Contribute to climate change mitigation and to a circular economy in Lebanon, through low-carbon and energy resource-efficient solutions and processes (e.g. recycling practices)
  • Rural development of small farmers in the Bekaa
    Expands the capacities of the small farmers in the Bekaa
  • C.L.I.M.A: Cleaning Innovative Mediterranean Action: reducing waste
    Contributing to the reduction of waste production by boosting sorting policies and technologies and economically valorizing the organic component
  • Strengthening the supply chain of UNICEF’s vaccination campaign through waste management
    [2023] Expands arcenciel’s hospital waste processing to respond to UNICEF’s Accelerated Immunization Activities in collaboration with MoPH in order to ensure that the campaign’s entire value chain is properly handled from the vaccination point to the produced waste treatment

Partners

Contact us

Agriculture

John Kennedy st, Jisr el Bacha, Sin el Fil
PO.Box 165216, Beirut, Lebanon
Tel: 961.1.495561 Ext 1323
Fax: 961.1.512107
Email: agriculture@arcenciel.org

Environment

John Kennedy st, Jisr el Bacha, Sin el Fil,
PO.Box 165216, Beirut, Lebanon
Tel: 961.1.495 561 Ext 1320
Fax: 961.1.512 107
Email: environnement@arcenciel.org