2. The Objectives

• Microplastic Collection and Analysis:

1.1 To develop an efficient and sustainable method for collecting and sorting microplastic debris from shorelines.

1.2 To determine the composition and sources of collected microplastic.

• Material Formulation and Testing:

2.1To create formulations of construction materials that incorporate microplastic as a substitute for natural resources.

• To conduct laboratory testing to evaluate the mechanical, thermal, and environmental properties of microplastic-based construction materials.

• Prototyping and Performance Evaluation:
  • To develop prototypes of construction materials using the formulated mixtures.
  • To assess the performance of these prototypes in real-world construction applications.
• Environmental Impact Assessment:

4.1To evaluate the environmental impact of using microplastic-based construction materials compared to traditional materials throughout their life cycle.

5- Regulatory Compliance:

• To ensure that the developed materials meet all regulatory and safety standards for construction.

6-Stakeholder Engagement:

• To engage and collaborate with local authorities, environmental organizations, and scientists.
• To involve the community in project development and decision-making.

7- Pilot Construction Projects:

• To successfully complete pilot construction projects that utilize microplastic-based construction materials.
• To monitor and document the construction process, including any challenges and opportunities for improvement.

8- Performance Monitoring and User Feedback:

8.1 To continuously monitor and evaluate the performance and durability of constructed projects.

8.2 To gather feedback from construction professionals and end-users about the quality and usability of the materials.

9- Public Awareness and Education:

9.1 To raise public awareness about the project's goals and environmental impact.

9.1 To educate the community about the importance of reducing microplastic pollution.

10-Scaling and Expansion Strategy:

10.1To develop a plan for scaling up the use of microplastic-based construction materials in larger construction projects if the pilot is successful.

11-Documentation and Reporting:

11.1 To create comprehensive reports that document project findings, successes, and challenges.

11.2 To disseminate the results to stakeholders, government agencies, and the wider community.

12- Long-term Sustainability:

12.1 To outline a strategy for the sustainable collection and utilization of microplastic debris for construction materials in the long term.

12.2 To draft a strategy to ban the production, import and sale of single use plastic in Lebanon

13-Advocacy and Policy Support:

13.1 To advocate for policies and regulations that support the use of recycled materials in construction and the reduction of plastic pollution.

13.2 To advocate on the right to access to safe, inclusive public spaces.

1-Microplastic Collection and Analysis:

• To develop an efficient and sustainable method for collecting and sorting microplastic debris from shorelines.

The machine purchased via this project was effective is collecting debris namely microplastic less than 5 mm which was not possible with the cleanup machines used by the municipality of Beirut since 2007.

The Machine is currently the only one type in Lebanon to have a sieve with less than 5 mm eye size.

It addition, it is light weight thus can be used even during loggerhead nesting seasons without impacting the nests (not all nests are identified and some could be existing without the knowledge of the operator).

However, and during early autumn (September – October) a lot of bamboo was drifted on the shore, mixed with fine particles of plastic. The machine was not able to collect it; it needs a bigger machine with wider drums.

 

• To determine the composition and sources of collected microplastic.

The collected samples were formed of the following:

- large plastic (bottles, bags, cups, Hubble bubble plastic mouth piece, straws, cups, bottle caps, chips bags)

- microplastic

-wood

-leaves

-bamboo

-cloth (little)

-shoes and slippers (little)

-styropore

-fishing net boys

Proportions cannot be given as the collection is variable. But an agenda is under preparation with the FE-BAU and will kick start on November 4^th to collect and separated the debris according to size. This will be important to give a scientific information for each constituent of the mixed debris samples and its impact in construction. 

 

• Material Formulation and Testing:

2.1 To create formulations of construction materials that incorporate microplastic as a substitute for natural resources.

3 concrete mixtures were prepared

a-Control stone: 1 portion cement + 1 portion sand + 1 fine coarse aggregate + water

b-10 % debris: 1 portion cement + 1 portion sand + 1 fine coarse aggregate with 10 % debris + water

c-20% debris: 1 portion cement + 1 portion sand + 1 fine coarse aggregate with 20 % debris + water

the stones were than colored by volunteered to add an artistic touch

NB: we cannot provide any scientific paper for the findings before the American University of Beirut (AUB) and the Beirut Arab University (BAU) share their findings which needs more time.

The project can only assure that the stones produced so far are still strong and intact.

 

2.2To conduct laboratory testing to evaluate the mechanical, thermal, and environmental properties of microplastic-based construction materials.

2 faculties of engineering (FE) were contacted and invited to take part in the project; FE-AUB and FE-BAU.

LAU students helped us collect samples using 3 technics (a sieve, a beach handy cleaning rake and the fine sieve of the beach machine bought by the project). The samples were delivered to both faculties.

Professor Helmi El Khatib appointed by Dr. Alan Shehadeh, MSFEA Dean at AUB, as coordinator for this project has showed a lot of interest to help us solve the problem of microplastic waved drifted on shores, which no one was aware of.

Professor Helmi confirmed to start the soonest the lab analysis. however, he will need more time before announcing any result as this matter needs a lot experimentation and literature review as the samples are made of mixed types of debris.

With AUB, the extended research will focus on the use of the mixed sample of collected debtis (mroplastic and other debris) in construction and its EIA.

Pr. Adel El Kordi, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at BAU and Dr. Adnan Masri have also showed interest in collaboration. However, they cannot use the sample for any research but can help in provision of data and reports provided by researches made at the faculty replacing clean plastic pellets in construction.

The collaboration with FE-BAU will be in organizing a conference on Plastic early 2024.

With BAU, the extended research will focus on the impact of each constituent of the mixed sample.

 

• Prototyping and Performance Evaluation:

3.1To develop prototypes of construction materials using the formulated mixtures.

Will be provided once MSFEA and FE-BAU give their results.

 

3.2To assess the performance of these prototypes in real-world construction applications.

A conference on plastic in construction will be highly needed for technical and scientific discussions before announcing any result.

Both universities have showed great interest in organizing.

AUB will investigate on the EIA of the final stone.

 

• Environmental Impact Assessment:

4.1 To evaluate the environmental impact of using microplastic-based construction materials compared to traditional materials throughout their life cycle.

Interesting discussions were held with the experts in both universities. The major question we still have is the impart of the stone once produced and used. The answer at glance was to not use it indoors for indoors safety health, however more discussions will be needed as explained prior.

 

5- Regulatory Compliance:

5.1To ensure that the developed materials meet all regulatory and safety standards for construction.

As explained in 4.1

 

The principal positive aspects of the project

1- Highlighting the existence of microplastic in the ocean,

- Its impacts on the ecosystem,

- Its amalgamation into the food chain affecting our health,

- Its detrimental impact on the ocean's ability to sequester carbon and manage pollution particles and particulates,

- Its adverse effects on the economy by causing coastal areas to become polluted and unattractive while diminishing fisheries resources.

2- Bringing attention to the challenges associated with domestic waste, including the excessive use of plastic and inadequate waste management, including the disposal of waste into rivers and oceans.

3- Presenting an efficient solution to eliminate microplastic while also decreasing the consumption of natural resources.

4- Signaling a positive outlook for policies aimed at reducing single-use plastics.

5- Underscoring the significance of coastal areas and public spaces.

6- Finally, the project has given the project team more insights on comprehension and methodology for future continuation and replication. Some objectives were revised to meant the process according the project operations.

Benefits achieved for/by participants during implementation:

a. As explained before, over 99% of the volunteers and officers were not aware of the existence of microplastic in our ecosystem and food chain. Even the university experts were not aware of the volume of microplastic existing in the ocean which will eventually end up in the food chain, disturb the ecosystem or been drifted to shore.

b. after the different meeting held during the implementation of the project, we believe that a concern a serious interest has been born to start working on solutions.

Products generated by the project:

1. Stepping stones: Pathway stones designed to provide relief for beachgoers when walking on scorching sand.
2. Samples of construction blocks containing microplastic.
3. Data regarding volume and type of debris including microplastic found on beaches which was not available to academics and scientists before.

• Provision of equipment (machine-truck-trailer-speaker…) for more activities in the future and replicability of other sites.
• A documentary – video
• An article.

The Project team would like to thank GEF for the funding this project and the opportunity to start a serious campaign to solve the problem of plastic and microplastic in the ocean.

We also would like to thank GEF SGP office in Lebanon; Dr. Adnan Melki and Mrs. Rebecca Baissari for the mentoring we received during the process and SGP jury for accepting our proposal.

We also would like to thank those who believed in this project and donated or gave us discounted prices on purchases which help us buy more equipment and tools much helpful for the project; namely:

Eng. Abed El Hafiz Kaissi, Previous General Manager for DGLMT for creating the Public Beach Program and believing in CFC and OBBA and our blue goals,

The Ministry of Public Works and transportation (MOPWT) (headed by Minister Fenianos than by Minister Hamieh),

Dr. Ahmed Tamer; General Manager for DGLMT, for facilitating the permit to implement the project at Ramlet el Bayda Public Beach and believing in the project,

Eng. Mohammed Nahle and Eng. Mostapha Kanj; officers at DGLMT, for their mentoring on legal issues,

The Minister of Environment Dr. Nasser Yassin for his continuous support and presence,

Judge Marwan Abboud; Governor of Beirut, for his continuous support,

Mr. Kosseity for a discount of 300 us on the price of the truck,

Mr. Houssam Chamseddine for offering the trailer,

Dr. Manal Nader for mentoring on marine ecology,

Mr. Mounir Zaatari- Printek for the very generous discount,

Mr. Bashir Sultan-Sultan Steel for the special price and free delivery of metal,

Mr. Hassan Sinno – ITCO-for the special price and free delivery of wood,

Mrs Wafa Saab- Tinol- for the very special discount and counseling,

Mr. George Malak and Sons – Spoiler Center- for the special discount,

Miss Tamara Rayess for auditing the project finance free of charge,

Operation Big Blue Association; through whom we were able to implement the project at the beach as OBBA is appointed by MOPWT to manage the beach and organize social and environmental activities and for offering drinking water and coffee from their beach kiosk as well as assisting in beach activities and providing cleanup tool,

The Faculty of Engineering at BAU, Dean Pr. Adel El Kordi, and Dr. Adnan Masri for their sharing their experiences and findings and for promising a long future collaboration,

The Faculty of Engineering at AUB; MSFEA, headed by Dean Dr. Alan Shehadeh, and the collaboration of Professor Helmi El Khatib for accepting to make a lab test on the blocks and to plan for future collaboration to keep this momentum dynamic till we reach tangible solutions,

We are also Grateful to all stakeholders mentioned above.

 

Much appreciation to the project team; each one has enrich this experience with his/her expertise;

In conclusion, we want to emphasize that the project's budget was intentionally structured to fully support the acquisition of equipment and tools. This approach ensures the project's sustainability, the potential for replication on other beaches, and the expansion of research, awareness campaigns and training sessions. Notably, no funds were allocated for personnel employment. Cedars for Care team and experts have expressed their satisfaction and contentment in providing free of charge their expertise, time, and efforts as a meaningful contribution to enrich the project with more tools and material. This collaborative effort aimed to effectively address the problem of plastic pollution in the ocean…right from the heart.

Special Thanks to:

Ministers: The Minister of Public Works and Transport Dr. Mohamed Hamiyeh, The Minister of Environment Dr. Nasser Yassine.

Directorate for Land and Maritime Transport Eng. Abed El Hafiz Kaissi (GM) , Eng. Moahmmed Nahleh,

The Governor of Beirut Judge Marwan Abboud, The Mayor of Beirut Dr. AbedAllah Darwish, Municipality board members Maiter Antoine Syriani and Eng. Adnan Omeirat,

The President and Vice President of the Amiliya Scools Dr. Nadime Beydoun and Dr. Nazih Harake, Deputee Mohammed Harake and a Dr. Abed Rahman Fleifel as representative of Deputy Gen Ashraf Rifii, Dr. Adnan Milky representing GEF SGP-Arch Rania Abed E; Samad representing the Ministry of Tourism,

Eng Aref Yassin as President of the Order of Engineers and Architect of Beirut, Eng. Pierre Baaklini,0

The famous Actor Salah Tizani Volunteers from different Institutions, schools, universities, corporates, NGOs and scouts have also contributed in the collection of debris. Awareness sessions were given before each cleanup activity.

The Universities: AUB -LAU- BAU-

Red Cross-Rotary-Beirut Lions Club- Rotary- Roteract Sahel Metn- Education Scouts Association-Muslim Scout Association-International College-American Community School- Lebanon Eco Movement-Lebanon Coastal Forum-College Protestant Français- Lebanese University- Operation Big Blue Association – Ershad of Legal and Social Association- National Association for Local Development (NALD)- Volunteering Marathon- Grand Lycee- Well Spring College- East Wood International- LEH-Makassed Scout Association- Islamic Orphanage House- Yasa for Road Safety- Brumana Urjuan Club- Beirut Builders Lions Club- Bader Association- USAID Higher Education Scholarship- Hariri 2 School- Youth National Development- Amel Association.

-the methodology used in debris collection was given by the Mediterranean Information Office for the Environment, Culture and Sustainable development (MIO-ECSDE) 

Experts:

-Dr Adel Kodri- Expert in Construction material

-Dr Mounir Mabsout; Chairperson of Maroun Semaan Faculty of Engineering and Architecture at AUB

-Dr. Helmi El Khatib; MSFEA Lab Officer

- Fatma Dagher- Expert in Chemistry

- Eng. Iffat Edriss- Expert in marine Biodiversity Conservation and in beach litter

- Nazih Rayess- Expert in Youth activities and communication and in beach Litter

-Eng. Mohammed Tabbit-Civil Engineer -Expert in Plastic in construction

-Houssam Chamseddine- Lawyer

-Eng. Ghassan Ammouriye: expert in artistic use of concrete and in upcycling

-Chafic Bader: PR expert

-Rita Haddad: Expert in PR and Communication

-Eng. Ahmed Kassar: Expert in machinery

-Arch. Elie Cadet: Expert in Sustainable Coastal Planning

-Eng. Fouad Bekdash: Expert in Machinery

-Dr. Lina Tabshi: Expert in IT and communication

-Oussama Zarif: Expert in Accounting and Auditing

-Ali Tobbara: Expert in Purchasing

-Mohammed Modawar: Expert in Communication, Training and video editing

-Sami Abed El Khalek: Expert in Project Development

-Tarek Dbeibo: Expert in Youth Collaboration and in sea turtles

- Tony Abou Zeidan:  Expert in Youth activities