85 days of dialogue between collectors, base recyclers, the Municipality of Guatemala and the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MARN) have elapsed, with the aim of finding a viable output to implement the classification of solid waste. While agreements are reached, the separation in organic, recyclable and non -recyclable continues, and the communes promote this practice.
From On February 26, a dialogue table was established to reach consensus that allow the separation of garbage, which must be reflected in the modifications to the regulation for the integral management of common solid waste and waste-governmental agreement 164-2021-which came into force on February 11.
The press unit of the Municipality of Guatemala indicated that, to achieve the separation model, the parties have presented their opinions and recommendations, which are in the process of analysis and discussion. The need for any scheme for classification of waste to be implemented by phases, gradually and in stages that allow the operation, make technical adjustments and guarantee the balance between human development and the environment is also raised.
A source close to said dialogue table said that Una of the proposals is that base recyclers are recognized In the process of waste classification. In addition, the modification of several articles has been raised, for example, those who contemplate changes in the collection trucks.
The municipalities represented at the table – Equatitlán, Guatemala, Mixco, Santa Catarina Pinula, San Miguel Petapa and Villa Canales – have expressed concern about the environmental and financial sustainability of the implementation of the regulation, according to the capital commune. In that sense, different mechanisms are evaluated for the State to support the process, both in the regulatory framework and by means of financial contributions that allow their viability and continuity.
He added that a viable, participatory solution is sought and that responds to the needs of the environment, as well as those of the gatherers and base recycles that work in the sanitary landfill in zone 3. The specific details of the proposals will be announced at the end of the discussion table.
Patricia Orantes, Minister of the Environment, said April 28 that the dialogue table with collectors and recycling has been “a fruitful process” and that it is analyzed in which line the modifications to the regulation must go, which will include the participation of said sectors.
He said that, as part of these changes, it will be incorporated that Each municipal government decides if it takes the separation In organic, recyclable and not recyclable – which establishes the current regulations – or organic and inorganic – average that was imposed in 2021.
“Most likely, the municipality of Guatemala decides to stay in a separation of two types, temporarily, to allow base collectors to have a transition period,” said Orantes, adding that he hopes to have the reforms to the regulation in a short term.
For its part, a source close to the negotiation indicated that the proposal of the recyclers – person for collectors – is that the garbage is separated into two groups. This position is also supported by municipalities, as they do not have the infrastructure or mechanisms for a broader classification.
In progress
The National Association of Municipalities (ANAM) also asked the MARN to a dialogue table to discuss the changes to the regulation; However, Sebastián Siero, president of the Organization of Communes, reported that Environmental authorities canceled the meeting Three occasions.
Siero, mayor of Santa Catarina Pinula, indicated that in that municipality the classification of garbage is promoted in three groups and that the commune already implements it, although not the entire population complies with the measure. For that reason, fines have been imposed on those who deposit solid waste in inappropriate spaces.
“The Ministry continues in an authoritarian figure position where they want to get a regulation without taking into account all parties. For this to work, it has to be agreed; but if they do not want to sit with the municipalities, the regulation will become one more than the hundreds in the country,” said Siero.
Mynor Espinoza, spokesman for the Municipality of Mixco, indicated that the commune has carried out campaigns on the classification of solid waste and has suggested to shops and collectors its implementation. However, he acknowledged that still It is necessary to promote the culture of recycling Among the Mixqueños, because not the entire population separates the garbage it produces in their homes.
A necessary step
Carmen Sierra, academic and researcher of the Institute for Research in Natural Sciences and Technology (IARNA), considered that the classification of waste into three groups is important and represents a first step that the population must assume.
“The separation in three groups is very basic and a challenge for, as users, we begin to change the chip that our waste impacts not only on the air, but also in water – through leachates (liquids that generates garbage) -, in soils and in human health. It must be seen as the beginning of a more integrated management of waste.”
Carmen Sierra, academic and researcher at Iarna.
Gustavo Estrada, researcher and coordinator of the Department of Health Sciences of the IARNA, also considers the separation of garbage by the population, although he warned that “you should not fall into the trap that this is enough”, since it is essential to follow up from the generation, collection, transport, treatment and final disposal of waste.
Although the classification of garbage is a necessary step, collectors indicated that there are few households that perform it, and that In the capital the percentage would not exceed 5%.
“People who pay their service, at best, throws it in a bag and thus reach trucks; but a lot of population throws it in the streets, in the ravines and in the rivers. In practice, the regulation has not worked, because they continue to stretch their garbage the same,” said a collection.