In 2015 Panama recyclable solid waste exports worth $ 62.3 million

Francisco Rivas Rivas.

apronad@gmail.com

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

In the years, 2002 and 2003 the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) funded the most comprehensive study ever conducted on the problem of solid waste in the Capital City, called: "The Study on Solid Waste Management Plan for Municipality of Panama in the Republic of Panama” (related documentation can be found at http://open_jicareport.jica.go.jp/pdf/11712825_01.pdf). Enterprise consulting company Kokusai Kogyo Co., Ltd took over the management of the work, for which it was necessary to hire a large team of national and international experts.

The Association for the Promotion of New Alternative Development (APRONAD) was subcontracted to carry out 4:  (a) 2 studies on physical and chemical composition of the solid waste in the Capital City (one in dry season and another in the rainy season); (b) a project pilot recycling aimed at the staff of the municipality of Panama, the thesis that this town could not undertake a community recycling program, if not practicing it. (c) We were finally hired to conduct research on the recycling market, a task that I corresponded.

JICA Plan was fully developed, ready to be implemented, but... Panama seems to have been sentenced (in the problem of solid waste) to receive a punishment similar to the Sisyphus: perpetually seek the solution to this problem that plagues the population and when you reach the point of implementing solutions, turns to start over, engage new studies to find the same causes, consequences and solutions, and thus indefinitely.

The study of the recycling market, whose recommendations were not implemented, circulated as reference material among researchers, students, journalists, company’s national and international consultants. From that moment, I began to receive requests for information on the subject of recycling in Panama. This demand increased exponentially in the past few months.

So I used part of my free time to update the statistics to the year 2015, I am now presenting. Invite researchers, college students in search of these issues, investigative journalists, to continue with this effort. 

Total exports. Table No. 1.

Compared to the antecedent years the volume and value of exports of solid waste experienced a setback because of the economic problems faced by the Asian, European countries and the United States. Yet the recycling has become a dynamic and profitable sector. 73,200 metric tons with a value of US $62.3 billion were exported in 2015. 

Waste and scrap (scrap), of cast iron, iron or steel. Table No. 2.

Scrap accounted for 62% of the volume exported, but 45% of their total value. The average unit price of the metric ton of scrap metal was of US $616. The rate of growth between 2014 - 2015, was negative - 35%, equal to the value of the exports - 38%. As shown in table No 2, exports are mainly aimed at the Asian market.

Waste and scrap of aluminum. Table No. 3.

This category meant 21% of the total, but contributed 27% of the exported value. The growth rate between 2014-2015, was also negative both in quantity and value: - 13%. The average unit price of the metric ton was 1.084 $US. Exports are directed mainly towards the United States (41% of total exports), but were also important China (21%) and Korea South (15%). 

Waste and scrap of copper. Table No. 4.

This item is of greater value ($US 3,396 the average unit price of the metric ton). A total of 4,849 MT with a value of $ 16,466,000 was exported. As has occurred in the majority of the products the growth rate between 2014-2015, was negative in quantity (- 24%) and value: (- 28%). Exports are mainly directed toward China (78%) and Korea's South (18).

Waste and scrap of glass mass. Table No. 5.

These exports went entirely to Costa Rica and had little significance in total exports.

Waste, waste and clippings, plastic. Table No. 6.

See the article on this Blog "Panama exported their plastic waste to Costa Rica"

http://apronadpanama.blogspot.com/2016/03/panama-exporta-sus-residuos-de-plastico.html

Waste and scrap of lead. Table No. 7.

81 % of exports were channeled to South Korea, the remaining 18% to Honduras. This material suffered a drastic reduction in the 2014-2015 period, both in quantity (- 58%) and value (- 61%).

Relevance of exports of solid waste.

We have selected only to title illustrative 4 traditional export products: fish, bananas, and coffee. As shown in the following table, solid waste far outweigh the value of exports of meat and coffee together. They are equivalent to 62% of the exports of banana and plantain, and 40% of fish exports.