The People's Power Assembly of the Playa municipality in Havana announced a "new solid waste management project" which, according to the statement, aims to turn the Cuban capital into a "cleaner city" through a plan that combines investment from Portugal, the reorganization of garbage collection, and oversight of the population.
According to the note shared on , the first phase of the plan involves deploying all available trucks and containers in the city, incorporating new washing equipment, and increasing the number of containers while assessing the collection frequency at each point.
At this stage, household waste, garden clippings, and construction debris will be separated, which will require special permits. Each resident is expected to provide approximately 700 grams of waste daily.
Authorities state that the success of the project will depend on citizen engagement.
Measures such as fines, stricter oversight, and the creation of a territorial ordinance that defines the obligations of the population and companies are mentioned. Additionally, schools will play a key role in educating about waste management and reinforcing community oversight.
Economically speaking, the statement promises a salary change for workers in Comunales, with additional incentives, and emphasizes that 50% of the office's annual expenses are allocated to fuel, making efficiency in operations essential.
The second phase of the project, which involves the treatment of solid waste, can only be implemented if the first stage is successful.
Finally, it is emphasized that all means and equipment will remain the property of the State, including any new ones that may be acquired.
The Cuban capital is experiencing one of its worst solid waste crises in decades.
The streets remain filled with garbage that has accumulated for days, exuding a strong odor of decomposition and harboring rodents and mosquitoes, while many residents choose to burn the waste, increasing health risks.
The lack of fuel for the garbage collection trucks has rendered a significant part of the fleet inoperable, leaving the population underserved, living alongside mountains of waste in public spaces for days or weeks.
In the face of desperation, some have chosen to burn garbage, exposing themselves to serious health risks such as smoke inhalation and the spread of respiratory illnesses.
The optimistic tone of the People's Power Assembly contrasts sharply with the harsh reality. It presents the project as an unprecedented solution, but the garbage crisis in Havana is a chronic problem that has persisted for decades.
For years, "solutions" and "alternatives" have been applied without success, and the accumulation of waste continues to impact health, quality of life, and the urban landscape.
Specialists warn that the combination of lack of resources, equipment deterioration, container shortages, and staff deficits has made sustainable waste management impossible, and the situation worsens with each interruption in the oil supply.
For the population, official promises have been unable to resolve decades of state neglect, and waste is currently one of the most visible symbols of the inefficiency of the Cuban government.
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