What was once a source of pride for the residents of Las Tunas now reeks of smoke, waste, and frustration. The province's own state-run newspaper acknowledged this week that Las Tunas is plagued by "hundreds of micro-dumps" that have turned the city into a "malodorous" landscape, with trash piling up near schools, clinics, and homes.
The article, titled "Las Tunas and the Challenging Breath of Micro-dumps," details how mounds of refuse reappear just hours after being cleared away and how burning has become an improvised method to reduce the dump sizes, all while vectors proliferate and the risk of disease rises amid a complex epidemiological scenario.
The report admits the severity of the issue and highlights the challenges faced by Servicios Comunales in ensuring trash collection in a context of fuel shortages and a lack of cart drivers. Official figures indicate that 657 cart drivers are needed across the province, but only 229 are available; in the city center, just over 60 are active. Despite claims of raising wages to 15,000 pesos a month, inflation and taxes make the job unattractive.
The article also notes that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are generating more waste, compounded by social indiscipline, illegal dumping, and a lack of inspectors to impose fines. Authorities discuss strategies, meetings, contracts, and potential tax incentives. Yet, the trash continues to accumulate.
If the article aimed to raise awareness, it instead sparked a wave of indignation. "Every block has a committee and a dump," one user quipped. Another summed up the general sentiment with a phrase echoed in dozens of comments: "Another government achievement."
Many citizens rejected the notion of shifting responsibility onto the populace. "What do we do with the trash if it's not collected? Do we eat it?" several residents asked. Others recalled that for years, trash collection was systematic, occurring several times a week, and the problem began when the service became irregular.
Among the harshest comments were complaints about dumps in front of schools like Carlos Valiño, near clinics, or just meters from butcher shops selling milk for children. Concerns were raised about the constant burning of waste and the exposure of babies, the elderly, and pregnant women to toxic smoke, flies, and rodents.
"It's the government's duty to collect the trash," wrote one user. "Shifting the blame to the people is manipulative," added another. Some pointed directly to inadequate pay for cart drivers, others criticized the lack of inspectors, and many noted that the problem has spiraled out of control.
The official publication itself acknowledges that the situation worsened after February 5, amid "zero fuel" conditions. Without mechanization and with a diminished workforce, trash collection now relies almost entirely on animal-drawn carts. Meanwhile, the micro-dumps reappear time and again.
The impact is not just visual. The accumulation of waste coincides with the rise of arboviral diseases and the constant threat of vector-borne illnesses. Neighbors speak of sadness, shame, and anger as they witness what they describe as the transformation of their city into "a vast dump."
Understanding the Garbage Crisis in Las Tunas
What are the main causes of the waste problem in Las Tunas?
The main causes include fuel shortages, a lack of cart drivers, increased waste production by SMEs, illegal dumping, and insufficient inspection and enforcement.
How has the government responded to the waste management issues?
The government has discussed strategies such as meetings, contracts, and potential tax incentives, but these have yet to effectively manage the growing waste problem.
What are the health risks associated with the trash accumulation?
The accumulation of waste increases the risk of vector-borne diseases and arboviral illnesses, posing health threats to residents, especially vulnerable groups like children and the elderly.