Waste collectors and base recyclers that operate in the capital city had their first meeting, this Wednesday, February 26, with the representatives of the Municipality of Guatemala and the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MARN), a week after the blockages that paralyzed the traffic in protest against protest against the Regulation for the Integral Management of Solid Waste and Waste.
In the technical table it is argued that the classification of solid waste in the capital will continue in organic and inorganic until the MARN makes the reforms to the Government Agreement 164-2021.
“We continue in phase one, organic and inorganic, which is the agreement that was obtained last week, while the agreement is modified. They will allow us to work on what is modified; They are aware that we need to eat and live up to date, ”said Aura Hernández, representative of the recyclers when leaving the meeting.
He assured that there will be no more blockages in the city by the sector he represents and will continue with the technical tables, the next meeting will be on Wednesday, March 5.
“We are going to continue in talks to give a prompt solution to our right to work, and we ask that it be as soon as possible,” he added.
Nonconformities
On February 11, the mandatory classification of organic, recyclable and non-recyclable waste entered into force, established in the Government Agreement 164-2021. This caused waste and recycling collection that operate in the landfill in zone 3 blocked different streets of the city on Wednesday, February 18
The demonstration made the Municipality of Guatemala pause the regulations and make the decision to continue with organic and inorganic separation, Although the classification in three groups, according to Patricia Orantes, Minister of Environment, is still valid for the rest of the country.
That day, waste collectors and recyclers, representatives of the commune and Marn agreed that each week they will have a technical meeting to reform the government agreement.
Orantes said that The modifications will be “surgical” and “small”pointing to the issue of garbage separation.
On the other hand, changes in the regulations must involve collectors and recycling, and guarantee access to recyclable material. One of its main complaints is that, with the new classification of organic, recyclable and non -recyclable waste, the recyclable material no longer reaches the landfill. This affects your livelihoods.
Meeting with Anam
ANDThis Thursday, February 27, the National Association of Municipalities (ANAM) is expected to meet with the MARN To talk about the implementation of the Regulation, which Orantes has insisted that it is in force and that there is no extension for compliance.
The proposal that ANAM will put on the table is that the regulations be repealed and work a new one that is functional for municipalities, collectors and the population, as Sebastián Sierro, president of the association has said.
Siero has pointed out that the current regulation is “dictatorial”, since it only considers the position of the Ministry and excludes the opinion of the members of the ANAM, the collectors, the base recyclers and the population. He has said that he is not against cleaning the country, but that the Government Agreement 164-2021 is not the correct route.
The regulation establishes that municipalities are responsible for compliance and that, to implement it, they need a municipal plan for the integral management of solid waste and waste. However, only 33 communes have worked said instrument, according to the Marn registration.