environment

Recycling will help

The city of Panama and San José Costa Rica generate more garbage daily per capita than any other city in the Central America region, according to the Organización Panamericana de la Salud.

In recent weeks, as uncollected garbage has piled up throughout the city, creating a health hazard for people and a breeding ground for disease-carrying insects, most residents have been pointing their fingers at the government. However, those same people may be partly responsible for the problem, along with the absence of a recycling program in Panama.

Some nongovernmental organizations are trying to confront the crisis head on. The Asociación para la Promoción de Nuevas Alternativas de Desarrollo (Apronad) is working to change people's attitudes and behaviors and arguing that Panama must put a recycling program in place.

Yakarta Ríos, president of Consumo Ético, says her organization is appealing to people to buy fewer products that can cause damage to the environment and buy only what they really need.

Ríos tells people to use biodegradable materials and to stop buying on impulse to avoid unnecessary consumption. "People claim there should be 20 to 30 more garbage trucks, but they don't hold themselves accountable for the problem," she said.

Some local businesses in Panama can collect certain waste materials from your house or office, including Hansel Distribución (tel. 277-5037), Panametal Traders S.A. (tel. 221-0811) and Recimetal Panamá S.A. (Tel. 225-8055).