The Knesset on Thursday passed a long-awaited bill to curb the illegal dumping of construction debris in Israel’s countryside.

By strengthening regulation, supervision and enforcement of waste disposal, the legislation seeks to minimize environmental damage and transform construction waste into a resource for reuse.

However, how the law’s implementation will be funded remains unclear, as the measure was not included in the 2026 state budget.

Some 7.5 million tons of construction waste — including concrete, asphalt, tiles and glass — are generated in Israel annually. Of this, nearly one million tons are illegally dumped in open spaces by haulers intent on avoiding the costs of transporting materials to distant sorting and landfill facilities.

This practice causes environmental damage, as waste leaches into soil and groundwater, attracts pests and creates hazardous conditions when burned.

Environmental Protection Minister Idit Silman hailed the law as a “true revolution” that will finally place the waste economy under a single regulatory umbrella.

The law, scheduled to take effect in 18 months, seeks to establish a comprehensive framework for the entire waste lifecycle, from creation at the building site through documentation, transport and final processing.

All participants in the construction sector, including waste producers and haulers, will have to be registered and licensed.

To ensure waste is not........

© The Times of Israel