Panama Launches Campaign to Combat Plastic Waste and Boost Tourism

Panama City, Panama – Each year, Panama generates over 380,000 tons of plastic waste, with a staggering 89% of this waste ending up in landfills, natural areas, or incinerated outdoors. This excessive waste not only poses significant risks to public health and the environment but also diminishes the country’s appeal as a tourism destination. In a bid to tackle this pressing issue, a coalition of government agencies, private companies, foundations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and international organizations has launched the campaign titled “Panamá se ve mejor sin basura” (Panama Looks Better Without Trash).

Aim of the Campaign

The campaign aims to promote a cleaner, healthier, and more prosperous Panama, ultimately attracting more tourists. In 2023, the tourism sector accounted for 15.8% of Panama’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), generating nearly $11 billion in revenue. The campaign seeks to address these grave environmental, economic, and public health impacts stemming from solid waste management challenges across the nation.

Key Participants and Objectives

The initiative is a collaborative effort among various stakeholders, including the Ministry of Environment (MiAmbiente), the Tourism Authority (ATP), the Urban and Domestic Waste Management Authority of Panama (AAUD), the Municipality of Panama (MUPA), the United Nations Development Programme (PNUD), and several environmental organizations such as the National Association for the Conservation of Nature (Ancon) and MarViva.

The campaign is structured around three fundamental pillars:

1. Economy: Promoting sustainable tourism by ensuring a clean environment, vital for the sector’s growth.
2. Health: Preventing diseases linked to waste accumulation and enhancing community safety and well-being.
3. Conservation: Protecting watersheds and biodiversity, which are critical for Panama’s environmental balance.

Addressing the Waste Crisis

During the launch press conference, MiAmbiente’s minister, Juan Carlos Navarro, expressed the urgency of the situation, stating, ‘Panama is drowning in trash. No municipality is free from a waste crisis, with legal and illegal landfills cropping up everywhere.’ He emphasized the need for communal effort in managing waste, recycling, and fostering a circular economy by stating, “The solution begins with each one of us. We must put trash in its place.”

Ovil Moreno, general manager of AAUD, also highlighted the need for personal responsibility in waste disposal, blaming some citizens for failing to manage their waste properly. He stated that while the AAUD strives to keep communities clean, many people continue to discard trash inappropriately. “Each of us must take responsibility for properly disposing of our waste,” he urged.

Public Health and Economic Impact

The accumulation of waste is not just an eyesore; it poses significant threats to public health by fostering the spread of diseases such as dengue and contaminating water sources. It also threatens the biodiversity that is essential for life. Itziar González Gómez, deputy resident representative and officer in charge of PNUD Panama, remarked, ‘We must pause and reflect on how we interact with our resources and correct our behaviors towards our planet. The time is now.’

Educational Outreach and Future Goals

The coalition aims to transform citizens’ engagement with their environment and foster collective responsibility. “Education and environmental awareness are key to creating the change we need,” said Adrián Benedetti, executive director of Ancon. He added that protecting ecosystems ensures a healthy environment and a safe future for Panama.

In the coming weeks, Ancon plans to launch a platform on their website, www.ancon.org, to centralize information and foster collaborative efforts among stakeholders.

Industry Support

The campaign has garnered significant support from the tourism industry. Ovidio Díaz, president of the Panama Tourism Chamber (Camtur), noted, ‘Trash does not attract anyone to our country; a garbage-free Panama would undoubtedly draw many tourists.’ He emphasized the need for a sustained effort to raise awareness about proper waste disposal.

Former Camtur president Ernesto Orillac echoed these sentiments, explaining that waste disposal remains one of Panama’s major challenges, particularly in urban areas. He added, ‘Feedback from visitors consistently points to waste management as a significant issue, and if we want to maintain our reputation as a prime tourist destination, the importance of a clean environment cannot be overstated.’

The coalition’s commitment to a cleaner Panama not only targets environmental sustainability but aims to improve the quality of life for all Panamanians and create a welcoming atmosphere for visitors.