Proposed Strategies To Prevent High Solid Waste Generation,In The Urban Area Of Panama

The high waste generation in contrast to the limited capacity and infrastructure for its handling,the cultural patterns that exist,is a serious problem in Latin America,and Panama is not exempt from this.Panama collects only the 65% of their total waste.And the total waste that they generate represents 1.22 Kg.per person per day.Panama does not have an integral system of waste management and treatment,not with the capacity,infrastructure,administration and economic flow for the amount of garbage generated.Recycling activity in Panama and Latin America is basically done informally.Performed by the street workers who are exposed to diseases and pollution every day.Their contribution represents approximately 98% of the total activity of recycling.Which it is estimated that is only 2% of total solid waste generated.Besides,it is estimated that 70% of the solid waste of Panama,it is considered reusable.The objectives of this research aims to cover a diagnosis of these factors influencing on the high generation of solid waste in Panama,explore the level of environmental and recycling culture of the citizens,analyze the development of the recycling industry,to evaluate strategies from model countries on waste management to analyze which of these strategies the Panamanian society would be more willing to adopt.The methodology of this study included review of documents from previous studies,interview with the CO Founder of a Panamanian Foundation which helps to collect materials for recycling(Fundacion Costa Recicla),and a survey for the evaluation of strategies,additional reports from the Government of Panama,at the same time official organizations of Latin America,The World Bank and others.As results it was obtained,that in effect it is true the formulated by Forbes,about the five challenges in Latin America,that it is necessary: green politicians,education,fighting poverty,reuse of products and less shopping.Panamanians have a good perception of the current and future economic situation of the country and they are very consumerist for having an America influence.The largest generation of waste comes from home.And most of this waste end in landfills,without any segregation or exploitation.Most part of the citizen don't have participation in urban sanitation.However,there are Foundations and Organizations working hard to change this,through different activities promoting recycling and environmental awareness.Recycling in Panama and Latin America is basically done informally.Performed by the street workers who are exposed to diseases and pollution every day.Some countries are working to improve this problem through the Inclusive Recycling,an initiative that was created on 2011.It is extremely recommended to Panama to participate and join this program also to help the development of the recycling industry and at the same time the poverty.Iron and scrap is the most collected material to be exported for recycling purpose.Almost all of this comes from informal recycling.In contrast,in the survey made,was found that the most material collected by the people is tetrapack,due to a massive marketing the company made.For Fundacion Costa Recicla,the materials most collected is carton and tetrapack also.Which means that there is a big market that haven't been covert yet because of the lack of strategies to involve the people and provide them education and the necessary facilities for the collection of materials for recycling.For this problem and the findings,this study proposed nine strategies taking as essential elements reuse and recycling,including also the premise of Circular Economy “Who pollutes pays”.All the strategies proposed had a high percentage of acceptance on the part of the respondents.Regarding how to start,the result was the strategies of education,including a new strategy added,about massed marketing and campaigns to teach the people everywhere,in recycling theme and other environmental activities.The other strategies suggested to start is the location of storage center in strategic areas for the collection of different materials,and the strategy about dispenser to collect used bottles in exchange for a consumable amount in the placed establishment.In this study was found that citizens are more willing to adopt strategies involving incentives.Therefore,it is also recommended including incentives to the private sector and industries to be more involve on the recycling of their waste.Currently,the government is working in actions plans for make the urban area of panama more sustainable.They are creating a program of “Zero Trash” that aims to reduce the disposition of solid waste through the Implementation of the three R(Reduce,Reuse and Recycle)through awareness-raising,infrastructure,regulatory,market economy and monitoring and evaluation programs.They are also in process of approve the law 492 that promotes the use of reusable bag,eliminating the use of plastic bags,one strategy that was also considered.After apply all these strategies,it is recommended to move forward into a plan to develop a Circular Economy and the Multi-R concept.The Government should also impose appropriate policies and laws to hold a proper resource management system and establish a method of control.Recycling is more desirable than the indiscriminate shipment of waste to landfills,but more desirable than this is to prevent the solid waste generation.