Cafe in Libya champions recycling and sustainability

In Libya's capital, a cafe's sleek exterior gives little hint of the vibrant space inside. It was built entirely from recycled materials to promote sustainability in a country recovering from years of war.

Lamma, which means "gathering" or "hang out" in Arabic, has become a cultural hub for locals and other visitors. It features an art gallery that showcases Libyan artists and hosts events and workshops.

But its central mission, its owner said, is raising awareness of an eco-friendly lifestyle in Libya, where green initiatives are scarce as people grapple with the aftermath of a grueling conflict.

Art installation at Café Lamma in Tripoli, LibyaInstagram

"We use materials abandoned in the streets, such as rubber from tires, wood from trees, and construction waste" to build the café, said Louay Omran Burwais, an architect who designed and founded Lamma.

"The idea is to show people that what is thrown in the street and may seem ugly or useless is still valuable," he told AFP. Libya was hurled into war after a NATO-backed uprising led to the overthrow and killing of dictator Moamer Qaddafi, followed by years of fighting between militias, mercenaries, and jihadists.

Power remains split between a UN-recognized government and a rival authority in the east.

New mindset

Behind the long, narrow door into Lamma, visitors are greeted with a kaleidoscope of colors and shapes. The plant-covered walls contrast with a web of suspended metal scraps, alcoves, and slide tunnels children swoop through.

"There are no places like this in Libya," said Roula Ajjawi, Lamma's art director. "We base everything on one aspect that we consider very important: recycling."

Families gather at Lamma on Thursdays, the start of the Libyan weekend, when the café holds art workshops for children. Others borrow books from the venue's small library.

Art installation at Café Lamma in Tripoli, LibyaInstagram

Burwais says his team hopes recycling and other eco-friendly practices, which remain rare, will start up in Libya, which currently has no recycling facilities. He said visitors to Lamma will recognize familiar everyday objects repurposed throughout the space, but they will "start seeing them differently."

We are here to foster a new mindset." Ajjawi said that in Libya, the plastic, metal, and glass left over from over a decade of civil war destruction are rarely, if ever, reused or recycled. They are often abandoned in nature and on the streets, occasionally washed into the Mediterranean by rain and wind.

But with initiatives like Lamma, objects once destined for the landfill are transformed into works of art—a concept now catching on with locals. "I love this place," said Riyad Youssef, now a Lamma regular. The food and service are excellent, and I appreciate the commitment to reducing waste. Every idea here is amazing."