Consultation Reveals Solid Waste Problems in Three Panamanian Communities

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A community consultation completed recently demonstrated an urgent need for solid waste management plans in three communities along the Gulf of San Miguel in eastern Panama. Currently, there is a lack of proper disposal of organic and plastic wastes, leading to pollution of the communities themselves, nearby mangroves, and the local water supply.

Earlier this year, EcoLogic and its partner in Panama, Fundación Natura, initiated consultations for the design and implementation of community-based plans to collect, use, and properly dispose of solid waste. Executed by the Panamanian organization Foundation for Social Action in Panama (Fundación de Acción Social por Panama), the consultation provided insights into the kinds of solid waste generated in three Darién communities - Rio Congo, Punta Alegre, and Arretí - and how these communities are currently managing this waste. 

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The results of the community consultations revealed that most solid wastes in the communities are fermented organic wastes generated from food and fishing. These wastes are primarily used to feed livestock or simply burned, as is the case with waste from gardens. Communities have little knowledge of "in-house" composting techniques, which are widely used to convert organic waste into organic fertilizer. This fertilizer, in turn, could be used to enrich the lands of subsistence farmers while considerably reducing solid waste in the communities.

The only recycling carried out in the communities is the sale of aluminum cans to local buyers or others in nearby towns. The recycling of plastic remains a critical issue due to the volume of plastic waste generated, the pollution caused by plastics, and the limited options in these communities for recycling plastic materials. 

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A conclusion of the community consultation is that management plans for the use or proper disposal of solid wastes should consider the potential of composting and alternative means of recycling. Furthermore, the consultations suggest that successful solid waste management depends on the active participation of the communities, as well as assistance from organizations such as EcoLogic and Fundación Natura. EcoLogic and its partner play a crucial role in motivating the local people to adopt more effective solutions to deal with solid wastes.

Implementing community-based solid waste management plans is a key component of EcoLogic's project in Panama. Pollution is the main threat to both coastal habitats and the local water supply along the Gulf of San Miguel. The pollution is primarily caused by garbage and other solid wastes produced by the local population. This latest consultation will provide the foundation for the development of community-based solid waste management plans moving forward.

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