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I am a sportsman that has always carried the Lebanese flag and promoted Lebanon’s image abroad. I realized that this was not enough and wanted to do more. As the famous writer Khalil Gebran said: “It is when you give of yourself that you truly give”. Making my country proud and helping others is what drives me and what I will always fight for. I am seeking a new challenge, that of alleviating the burden of waste that is weighing on Lebanon. I am creating an initiative that deals with recycling food waste in a totally green, non-chemical way.
Silvio Chiha - Lebanese, West Asia
2017 Winner | | Lebanese
To introduce the fermentation food waste recycling process to municipalities and communities, aiming to reduce the amount of organic waste dumped in landfills. Demonstration of concept will be made available for interested parties to visit and see the whole treatment process. They can experience first-hand how easy food waste management is, and how it can be applied in their local communities. Fermentation composting is a two-step process. Organic waste is initially fermented in a closed bin for two weeks and then laid in the ground for it to breakdown. The fermentation process in bins is the added value of the process. There is no need to pick up the organic waste daily from mass producers as it can be done once a week. When food waste is fermented, the system rapidly acidifies. Methane won’t be produced as it can only be produced at a neutral PH. If there is no methane production, then there is no odour.
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NOTE: This content was shared online for the 2019 cycle of the Young Champions of the Earth programme and has not been updated. This listing does not constitute any endorsement by nor status with the UN Environment Programme.
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Young Champions of the Earth is a forward-looking prize designed to breathe life into the ambitions of brilliant young environmentalists.