Environmentalists have expressed concerns that Argentina’s ‘zero garbage’ waste law of 2006 – which aimed to eradicate landfills by 2020 – has not proved effective as the goal will not be reached.
Daily more than 5000 tonnes of waste are still ending up in landfills on the outskirts of Buenos Aires, which are said to be the source of pollution and disease. The waste reduction targets are simply not being met.
The city official responsible for waste disposal has acknowledged this fact and said that a ‘series of measures’ will be put in place, such as fines for companies tat fail to clean up construction sites, campaigns encouraging people to separate their rubbish, and separate collection schemes.
He pointed out however that ‘a specific budget is needed, and the Zero Garbage law failed to clearly define what it would be.’
Greenpeace Argentina said, ‘this year, almost the same amount of trash will be buried in the landfills as in 2009, because nothing is being done.’
