Solutions to the problem of solid waste in Panama

Francisco Rivas Ríos.

apronad@gmail.com

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

Panama has invested millions of dollars in at least 5 consultancies on the improper management of solid waste, always coming to the same conclusions:  

Old known issues

1. The culture of nonpayment rate toilet corresponds to the non-collection of the rate amenities.

The general population does not include among the priorities of household expenditure payment rate amenities. The authorities responsible for carrying out the recovery (in a country with generous subsidies) evade confronting the population, resorting to coercive collection to avoid the "political cost". Result: The toilet service providers drag multimillion delinquencies, turned into bad debts.

The known vicious circle is then generated: I do not pay the fee because they do not pay me toilet good service and provided poor service because they pay me the rate amenities.

Thesis A: no technological solution to the problem of solid waste in Panama is financially viable, by the culture of nonpayment rate amenities.

2. Nobody wants to waste near your home ... by distrust of politicians.

In 2005, the Ministry of Health (MINSA) of Panama concluded that "as a result of surveys of mayors and communities nationwide," there is broad acceptance to landfill to give a solution to the problem of health environmental community [1]. Despite, which, the document prepared by the Ministry of Health also, recognizes that "this type of solution generates opposition from the surrounding population at the same location site Landfill".

If the population recognizes that the landfill is an adequate solution to the disposal, why reject it? By distrust of politicians. Who guarantees that local government authorities and proper maintenance will the landfill to prevent it from becoming a pollutant landfill?. The lack of credibility in the efficiency of public and municipal management is the basis for the rejection of appropriate technological options.

Thesis B: no technological solution to the problem of solid waste in Panama socially viable, by distrust of politicians can properly manage the selected alternative technologies. 

3. Institutional chaos in the management and operation of solid waste.

The Authority for Urban and Household (AAUD) is the competent authority for the management and operation of residential solid waste in Panama ... on paper only. Before his several major municipalities had created concession for terms up to 25 years, the collection, transportation and disposal of waste FIEs (Colón, San Miguelito, Arraiján, La Chorrera). Only in the capital city collection system and transport of garbage operates, as the Landfill Patacón was contracted to a foreign company.

The management and operation of hospital solid waste are a responsibility of the Ministry of Health (MINSA), which is the concession to a private company. The aim (otherwise impossible) is collecting and transporting hazardous waste from all hospitals and health centers of the country ... and move to open dumps, aggravating pollution throughout the national territory.

The Panama Canal Authority (ACP), ports, airports have their own systems, garbage disposal, each with its own methodology.

Thesis C: no technological solution to the problem of solid waste in Panama is viable institutionally, by the prevailing chaos in the sector.

4. Recycling: between media romance and a thriving business but unsustainable.

Recyclable materials have become an important category of non-traditional exports (see this blog: http://apronadpanama.blogspot.com/2015/10/como-funciona-el-reciclaje-en-panama.html), but a high environmental and social costs, without any regulatory mechanisms.

Media drive commendable initiatives "recycling" but with no impact on the management of solid waste.

Thesis D: no technological solution to the problem of solid waste in Panama is feasible recycling activity continues to perform according to socially and environmentally unsustainable parameters.

Solutions already raised but not implemented.

1. Ni "wild" privatization and municipalization inefficient: when microenterprises and cooperatives.

The concession to private companies, the services of collection, transportation and disposal of solid waste, has failed. None of these companies have achieved investment resources to build landfills, which have breached contracts with municipalities. Nor have they provided an efficient service. There is also the suspicion that the concession contracts were obtained (and written) in transparent conditions, omitting the oversight role of the municipalities.

The possibility of structuring a sector of small enterprises and cooperatives to provide these services was supported more than 10 years ago by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Inter-American Foundation (FIA), but was aborted when foreign contractors and local politicians They came together to impose a model of privatization that ultimately proved a total failure. The culture of nonpayment rate worsened toilet, when taxpayers began to suspect they were negotiated before dark.

Solution A: It's time to revitalize the "third sector", offering opportunities for SMEs and Cooperatives in the tasks of collection and transportation of solid waste, with government support by the Authority of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (AMPYME), the Panamanian Autonomous Cooperative Institute (IPACOOP) and international financial agencies. The participation of SMEs, to be formed with low-income residents of the towns they serve, allow for a greater support of users and improve the WTP rate amenities.

2. Citizen participation in the management of landfills and other final treatment systems.

Who should ensure proper maintenance of the systems for the management of solid waste (mainly landfills) ?. No local government authorities and on which there is widespread distrust, but citizenship itself, mainly the communities surrounding such systems.

Solution B: this is achieved in two main ways: a) the creation of Environmental Community Boards or Committees, made ​​up of professionals, civic leaders, representatives of business associations, etc. responsible for ensuring the proper functioning of the systems and veto (closing), if they do not meet the standards; b) operating manuals available to Boards, Committees and Environmental interested, where are clearly established procedures for proper maintenance.

Solution C. In addition, in view of increasing civic responsibility in environmental enforcement, the creation of committees would promote Environmental Volunteer Rangers in communities to identify individuals and companies that insist on properly dispose of solid waste. The activity of these Committees will be coordinated the magistrates, mayors and National Police. 

3. Towards a General Law of Solid Waste.

Given the institutional chaos prevailing in the sector, it is necessary that the National Assembly know and approve a General Law of Solid Waste. This is a longstanding proposal. The July 7, 2014, was presented for consideration by the Committee on Labor, Health and Social Development. Draft Law "Establishing provisions toilet service and the regulatory and institutional framework for integrated waste management and other provisions". The project remains virtually stagnant.

Although there is progress, this proposal does not include the guiding principles of environmental law are: precautionary, polluter pays, the extended producer responsibility, and shared responsibility of producers, importers, exporters, traders, consumers, businesses of waste management services and governmental authorities.

Solution D: Why these initiatives fail to prosper?. Because the method restricts participation to government, deputies and municipal officials. It is essential to incorporate into the analysis process to relevant sectors, such as collecting and recycling companies, specialized NGOs, universities and scientific centers, to achieve propose the creation of a broadly representative National Committee.

4. Towards a sustainable recycling system.

Panama recycling is an economic activity expanding and this trend will continue in the future. Although the recycling industry shows a trend towards growth depends on a highly informal system recovery. A few formal companies sourcing thousands of people who are recovering waste in precarious or even inhuman working conditions.

It is a thriving, profitable business ethically unacceptable but socially inconvenient, environmentally unsustainable.

Solutions E and F: Integrate the environmental and social costs recycling activity can affect company profits and remain competitive in the international market. For this reason the proposal is to launch two simultaneous initiatives: 1) establish severe penalties on companies that persist in making recycling activities (purchasing, packaging and storage) with clear violation of environmental standards and human rights of the pickers ; and 2) include exports of recyclable materials in the category of non-traditional exports, which would get tax benefits; moreover, establish the status of mandatory recycling, which the population would be required to deliver the garbage separately, increasing the supply of materials to recycling companies.

A political and cultural problem.

Throughout numerous articles, we have insisted that the problem of solid waste in Panama is not economical and technological. In poor communities in Nicaragua we saw the collection and transportation of solid waste in " volcarretas " using traction horses or oxen, and properly disposing waste in health micro landfill manual compaction. These communities, with much higher rates of poverty than those in Panama, show impressive levels of cleanliness. How is it possible that a country, whose government budget is more than $ 20 billion, cannot solve this problem?

The problem is political. On many of the concession contracts entered into between foreign companies and municipalities bear the suspicion of corruption. If you review those contracts satisfy itself quickly that were written for the exclusive benefit businesses and municipalities completely they renounced its responsibility for oversight and the defense of the rights of users. In practice such contracts were "shielded" so by companies that their termination is virtually impossible, unless they receive huge financial rewards.

The problem is cultural. Restoring public confidence in their authorities is essential to create a favorable rate payment of toilet culture and that trust is achieved with efficient service: planned and mainly continuous.