In 2015, Panama imported waste paper and cardboard for US $ 2, 6 million

Francisco Rivas Ríos.

apronad@gmail.com

https://www.facebook.com/apronadpanama/

The latest figures indicate that in the Landfill Patacón enter per day approximately 2,200 MT of municipal solid waste from the Capital City and the District of San Miguelito. On the premises of the landfill, a cooperative composed of 230 recyclers recovered nearly 220 MT of all kinds of recyclable materials.

According to data from the Urban Cleaning Authority (AAUD) in Cerro Patacón 1,000 MT per day, enter from homes, 150 MT of street cleaning and TM 500 tons of hospitals and shops.

AAUD ensures that 95% of waste going to landfill is recyclable but not used. For this reason, he says the AAUD, community work being undertaken in different sectors of the country to promote the habit of recycling, and promote the three 'R' meaning: reduce, reuse and recycle.

An AAUD figures provided should add, by 2015, the income of 12,440 metric tons of waste paper and cardboard, imported mainly from the United States (57%) and Guatemala (32%). In buying this garbage, Panamanians invested US $ 2, 627,000, at an average cost of US $ 211.17 per Mt.

After a 20% increase in imports in 2013-2014 the growth rate of imports in quantity between 2014 - 2015 was 7% and in value – 34% (compared to an increase of 40 % in 2013-2014). This change particularly affected imports from the United States as shown in the following chart:

In the “Study on the Management Plan Solid Waste for the Municipality of Panama “, funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and directed by the consulting company Kokusai Kogyo Co in 2003 established that the area of paper and paperboard accounts for 26 % of solid waste in the Capital District.

This means that in the Capital City are generated daily about 572 metric tons of waste paper and cardboard, which can be recycled. Instead, they are importing on average 34.5 Mt.

This is because recycling is governed by market rules. All waste can be recycled because the technology exists to do so, but not all residues have commercial value. Waste paper and cardboard are imported from the United States and Guatemala simply because they are cheaper than those recovered in Panama.

This reality must be explained to citizens and communities. As well-intentioned people and organizations driving campaigns for the recovery of recyclable materials, regardless of market conditions. The result is predictable: the frustration and anger of the participants.