Beirut: The Ministries of Environment, Finance, and Economy and Trade have jointly defended the newly introduced environmental fees, asserting that these measures are intended to support long-overdue waste management reforms rather than serve as a means to increase state revenue.

According to National News Agency - Lebanon, the ministries, in a joint clarification statement, emphasized that the fees introduced under Decree No. 3214 are an implementation of the previously endorsed Law No. 38/2026. This law aims to provide sustainable financing for waste treatment after years of reliance on state funds and municipal resources. The environmental fees, ranging from 1% to 3% based on the product, are founded on the internationally recognized "polluter pays" principle. This principle mandates that producers and importers contribute to the cost of managing the waste generated by their products.

The ministries have also reiterated their commitment to ensuring that the revenues generated will be exclusively allocated to finance solid waste management infrastructure and operations, rather than being diverted to the state's general budget. Addressing concerns about potential price increases, the ministries clarified that the fees do not justify arbitrary price hikes on goods. The Economy Ministry will actively monitor the markets and take legal action against businesses that exploit these measures to impose unjustified price increases.

Furthermore, the statement indicated that the government, after consultations with the General Confederation of Lebanese Workers and in coordination with the Prime Minister's office, plans to revisit the fees imposed on basic food items during the next Cabinet session. This effort aims to ensure the fees consider citizens' living conditions while maintaining the objectives of the environmental reform.